The Saint-Vincent Tournante in Burgundy
Every year, in the middle of the cold season, Burgundy holds one of its most significant and anticipated celebrations: the Saint-Vincent Tournante. This event honors Saint Vincent, the wine guide, and attracts thousands of spectators from the region and around the world to showcase Burgundy's winemaking skills. However, this celebration is not limited to honoring traditions; it also strongly promotes the territories, wines and rural towns.
The History of Saint-Vincent Tournante
The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, an association of oenophiles, founded the Saint-Vincent Tournante festival in 1938. Its aim is to promote Burgundy wines and associated customs. This brotherhood sought to revive a bygone custom of Burgundy winegrowers. Every year, they honored their patron saint, Saint Vincent, in order to obtain an abundant harvest and a blessing on the vineyards. Winegrowers thus honor Saint Vincent for his protection and help in working the vines, even if the relationship between the saint and the vines is very vague!
The term “Tournante” associated with La Saint-Vincent Tournante expresses the fact that this festival “rotates” through the different villages of Burgundy each year, in order to shine the spotlight on each plot of rural vineyard. This event, since its foundation, has established itself as an unmissable event for wine enthusiasts and those who share the culture of wine.
How the Saint-Vincent Tournante works
Traditionally, the Saint-Vincent Tournante takes place over two days, on the last weekend of January. It includes several essential components that combine tradition, spirituality and conviviality.
The procession of the brotherhoods
The celebrations begin with a vast procession, in which the various wine associations of Burgundy parade in traditional dress. Statues of Saint Vincent are carried by members of the brotherhoods, in association with banners and symbols related to wine. Generally, the procession goes to the local church to participate in a special celebration of blessing the winegrowers and vineyards, thus emphasizing the spiritual nature of the festival.
Wine celebration
A wine tasting of the host village and region is an essential part of the Saint-Vincent Tournante. Temporary wine cellars are set up in the streets and homes of the village, allowing visitors to purchase tickets to taste various wines made by local winemakers. This is a unique opportunity to taste a wide range of wines, usually from small winemakers who use this opportunity to showcase their skills.
Entertainment and decorations
Each host village prepares for several months to decorate its streets and buildings with colorful decorations, usually inspired by the vineyard and the seasons. Residents proactively contribute to the decorations and activities, creating a joyful and friendly atmosphere. The festivities are enriched by music, shows, folk dancing and many stalls selling local products that attract families and visitors of all ages.
The transmission of the Tournante and the official ceremonies
Once the festivities are over, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin sets up an official ceremony to transfer the baton to the next village. This is a symbolic moment that continues the tradition of the Saint-Vincent Tournante, ensuring that this celebration will take place in a different village the following year.
La Tournante de Saint-Vincent in 2025: the planned dates and the host village
The Saint-Vincent Tournante of 2025 will take place on January 25 and 26, 2025 in the village of Volnay, in the heart of the Côte de Beaune, a terroir famous for its luxurious and perfumed red wines from the Pinot Noir grape variety. Volnay is a symbolic place in wine-growing Burgundy, famous for its exceptional climatic conditions and its delicate and sweet wines, often described as elegant in the region. Thus, participants in the Saint-Vincent Tournante 2025 will have the opportunity to explore the wines of Volnay and other Burgundy appellations while exploring the charming alleys of this village. The celebration of Saint-Vincent represents an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the past of this territory, meet passionate winegrowers and take part in a unique event that highlights all the facets of Burgundy wine. The Saint-Vincent Tournante goes far beyond the simple celebration of winegrowers. It embodies the heritage, enthusiasm and winemaking skills that make Burgundy one of the most famous wine regions in the world. This event gives tourists the opportunity to explore the winemaking heritage of the Côte d'Or from a different angle, to delve into the local culture and to contribute to a tradition that brings winegrowers together around common values: respect for the terroir, preservation of the environment and passion for a job well done.
In short, the Saint-Vincent Tournante in Burgundy
Whether you are a wine enthusiast or simply curious about wine culture, the Saint-Vincent Tournante is a unique experience to live. It is an opportunity to gain knowledge, share and celebrate the daily enthusiasm of the men and women who cultivate the vineyards of Burgundy and produce exceptional wines. In 2025, the Saint-Vincent Tournante will continue its traditional commitment by taking place in Volnay, a symbolic town in Burgundy. The Saint-Vincent Tournante remains an unmissable event, whether for the wine tasting, the splendid decor or the warm atmosphere that lights up the village streets. See you next January to attend this celebration, savor exceptional wines and honor with the winegrowers of Burgundy a custom that dates back more than 80 years.
