Five top wine societies
Wine has always inspired more than appreciation. Across the world’s great regions and beyond, it has given rise to prestigious wine societies, historic fraternities, and professional organizations. Each offers a different route to the upper echelons of wine culture, whether via professional qualifications, sponsorship, nomination, or patronage.
Interested in finding out what’s out there? Read on.
Institute of Masters of Wine
Photo credit: Masters of Wine
Few distinctions in wine carry more prestige than the letters MW (Master of Wine) after a name. Founded in London in 1955, the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) promotes excellence, learning and interaction across the global wine community. Its members include winemakers, buyers, educators, sommeliers, writers and other leading wine professionals.
The IMW has historic roots in the Vintners’ Company, one of the City of London’s ancient livery companies, established in 1363.
Becoming an MW is an exceptionally demanding process, almost like gaining a PhD in wine! It takes a minimum of three years and involves rigorous theory and blind-tasting examinations, followed by a 6,000–10,000-word research paper. Since its foundation, only 528 people have passed the MW examination; today there are 427 MWs in 31 countries.
How do you join?
Applicants need a WSET Diploma or equivalent wine qualification, plus at least three years’ professional wine-industry experience. Candidates then undertake the three-stage MW programme and examinations.
It’s demanding, but there are some exceptional wines to taste along the way!
Cost
The full programme can cost approximately $30,000–$50,000 over several years, including fees, travel costs related to seminars, and the high cost of wines required for tasting practice (unless you’re lucky enough to get sponsorship through an employer).
Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin
Photo credit: Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin
A list of top wine societies wouldn’t be complete without the presence of Bourgogne. Established in 1934 in Burgundy, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin is one of the world’s most celebrated wine confraternities. Based at the historic Château du Clos de Vougeot, it was founded to promote the wines, gastronomical delights, and cultural heritage of Burgundy. Its fraternity includes prestigious Burgundy producers, négociants, wine professionals, and influential enthusiasts from all over the globe.
The Confrérie is famed for its inauguration or intronization ceremonies for induction into the brotherhood. During the procedures, candidates wear 16th-century style red-and-yellow robes and take solemn vows to honor Burgundian wine. In place of a sword, to knight them, the Grand Master taps them on the shoulders with a petrified grapevine root! The new member receives a silver ‘tastevin’, or tasting cup, hung on a ribbon, signs the register, and attends a grand banquet filled with traditional cuisine, Burgundian wine, and song.
One event the society organizes each year on the last full weekend in January is the Saint-Vincent Tournante, created in 1938 to celebrate regional winemaking traditions, celebrate Burgundy's wines, and honor Saint Vincent himself, the patron saint of winegrowers. The wine festival is held in January in a different wine village, attracting tens of thousands of visitors who enjoy religious rites, vibrant processions, and wine and food tastings. There is also the chance to see members inducted as Commandeurs with ceremonies rich with heritage. In 2027, Volnay is the destination.
How do you join?
As one of the most prestigious wine organizations, it’s not a simple matter of filling in an application form. Prospective members must express an interest, then two existing members need to present the candidate. Success depends on qualities like knowledge and appreciation of wine, personal achievements, dedication to Burgundy, and potential contribution to society.
Cost
There is no outright public membership price. Members pay yearly dues and event costs, which vary according to the local chapter.
Commanderie de Bordeaux, United States & international
Photo credit: Commanderie de Bordeaux USA
Bordeaux just has to make an appearance in a list of the world’s top wine societies. In America and beyond, this acclaimed region is represented by the Commanderie de Bordeaux.
In 1952, In 1952, the Bordeaux Wine Trade Council established the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux, an umbrella body for the Bordeaux Wine Brotherhoods and all the Commanderies representing Bordeaux in France and worldwide. The organization quickly found a home in America. Founded in 1957, this body is devoted to promoting the wines, oenological and gastronomic culture, and winemaking traditions of Bordeaux. It unites collectors, wine professionals, and Bordeaux enthusiasts through formal dinners, wine tastings, and social events.
The Commanderie is renowned for its formal Chapitres, or gatherings, which feature serious Bordeaux tastings and dinners alongside traditional induction ceremonies. The society also holds events like château dinners, vertical tastings, masterclasses, and trips to Bordeaux.
Commandeurs have an important role to play for the region: they’re viewed as ambassadors for Bordeaux, promoting appreciation of its wines as well as preserving the region’s cultural and culinary traditions.
How do you join?
There are 40 chapters across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Membership is generally by invitation. Candidates are expected to have an authentic passion for Bordeaux and, in many branches, must have sponsorship from two existing members.
Cost
Fees vary between Commanderies and usually include annual dues and costs of dinners and events.
Jurade de Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Photo credit: Les Vins De Saint-Emilion
Saint-Émilion has its own spot in the panoply of top wine societies with the Jurade de Saint-Émilion. Established in 1199, this body is one of the region’s oldest brotherhoods, established under King John of England to govern the town and environs. It was dissolved during the French Revolution and revived in 1948 to protect and promote the wines and oenological heritage of Saint-Émilion through wine tasting events and celebrations.
The Council of the Jurade has 24 governing members, 140 Jurats representing Saint-Émilion’s appellations, and 3,000 supporters in a growing network of Chancelleries located throughout the world. The motto is “Always loyal to Saint-Émilion,” and ceremonial crimson robes bear historic insignia, reflecting the organization’s medieval roots and heritage.
The Jurade is renowned for its majestic intronization ceremonies, taking place in Saint-Émilion and at prestigious events around the world. One of its most celebrated annual events is the Ban des Vendanges, which takes place in September around the harvest to mark Saint-Émilion’s wines, winemakers and traditions.
How do you join?
The Jurade is composed of winegrowers, négociants, and distinguished personalities, with an invitation necessary to begin the process of applying to become an official Jurat. Applicants must demonstrate dedication to the appellations’ wines. That said, in some countries’ Chancelleries, it’s possible to access dinners and events with a love of Saint-Émilion wine being all that you need (you don’t get to don the prestigious robes though!).
Cost
To become a Jurat, there is no particular membership fee. However, you’re required to cover your own costs when travelling to and participating in the society’s events, like special dinners and the Ban du Vendange.
Order of the Knights of the Vine, United States
Photo credit: Northen California Chapters of Knights of the Vine
The Order of the Knights of the Vine is one of the best-known wine brotherhoods in the United States. It was established in 1964, to honor wine, winemaking, and wine culture, with eight chapters set up across the country. It is also a founding member of the international Fédération Internationale des Confréries Bachiques (FICB), giving it the benefit of cooperation with similar wine confraternities around the world.
Chapters hold regular gatherings where members can explore American and international wines, network with fellow enthusiasts, and enjoy wine culture. It also recognizes members who have made a significant contribution to wine by bestowing them with the title of Supreme Knight. Members act as emissaries for wine appreciation, promoting wine education, enjoying with moderation, and the traditional culture surrounding winemaking.
Members enjoy invitations to local chapter and national wine dinners, luncheons, wine membership tastings, and seminars as well as access to international FICB events. Membership also includes a subscription to the body’s dedicated magazine, Arbor.
How do you join?
All new members need to have a sponsoring Knight from the chapter they desire to join.
Cost
The initiation fee is $250 and covers Knighthood Enthronement Ceremony expenses plus the first year’s National dues. Events generally cost extra.
Final thoughts
Whether earned through examination, invitation, or shared passion, these wine confraternities offer the opportunity to express your passion for wine in unique ways. These wine clubs keep tradition alive and foster new friendships through age-old ceremonies, dinners, tastings, and fétes, reminding us of the dedication and history behind every glass of wine.
Feature image: Les Vins De Saint-Emilion
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