2019 events at the Brotherhood Saint-Etienne

The Brotherhood Saint Etienne (Saint-Stephan) is a mythical institution in the world of Alsace wine and one of the oldest in France. A few days ago, in its castle of Kientzheim, just next to Riquewihr and Colmar, the brotherhood announced its program for the next 12 months. All wine lovers are eager to learn more about it. Spring is also the time of the year when the Grand Master leaves his post and passes the torch to his successor.

Press conference at the brotherhood St Etienne d'Alsace. In the front row, from left to right: Martine Becker, Grand Master 2018; Céline Stentz, new 2019 Major (Chief of Young Counselors); Jean-Louis Vézien, new Grand Master 2019; Jean-Paul Goulby, Chancellor-Receiver (Minister of Finance); Standing from left to right: Pascal Schultz, Grandmaster 2017; Pierre Ruhlmann, future Grand Master 2020; David Ling, Grand Master 2016 and in charge of international relations.
Press conference at the brotherhood St Etienne d’Alsace. In the front row, from left to right: Martine Becker, Grand Master 2018; Céline Stentz, new 2019 Major (Chief of Young Counselors); Jean-Louis Vézien, new Grand Master 2019; Jean-Paul Goulby, Chancellor-Receiver (Minister of Finance); Standing from left to right: Pascal Schultz, Grandmaster 2017; Pierre Ruhlmann, future Grand Master 2020; David Ling, Grand Master 2016 and councelor in charge of international relations.

Jean-Louis Vézien new 2019 Master

Jean-Louis Vézien, the new Grand Master 2019 is not unknown in the world of Alsace wine. Champenois of origin, an agronomist first working at the INAO (National Institute of the Appellations of Origin) of Colmar, he ended up taking root in the Alsatian vineyard as director of the CIVA (Interprofessional Council of Wines of Alsace ) for 20 years, until 2017.

At the Brotherhood of Saint Etienne of Alsace, Martine Becker (left), Grand Master 2018 with Jean-Louis Vézien, new Grand Master 2019
At the Saint Stephan’s Brotherhood of Alsace, Martine Becker (left), Grand Master 2018 with Jean-Louis Vézien, new Grand Master 2019

Chapters 2019-2020

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From the beginning of the history of the Saint-Etienne’s brotherhood, in the Middle Ages, the brothers gathered in “chapters”, especially the day after Christmas (Saint Etienne), to celebrate around the wines of Alsace.

Today, every year, the Brotherhood organizes in its castle of Kientzheim but also abroad, several solemn chapters, prestigious evenings with a commented tasting, wine tastings and the ritual admission session for the new members. The evening continues with a gala dinner where a renowned chef offers a menu of haute cuisine showcasing the best wines of Alsace.
The chapters are open to everyone.

Kientzheim Brotherhood Saint Etienne d'Alsace, induction ritual
Kientzheim Brotherhood Saint Etienne d’Alsace, induction ritual

2019 solemn chapters at the Brotherhood of Saint Etienne d’Alsace.

Dates of chapters at the Brotherhood’s castle in Kientzheim

  • 25 January 2019 – GENERAL CHAPTER
  • 12 April 2019 – Exceptional chapter together with the Brotherhood of Taste-Cheese
  • 15 June 2019 – solemn chapter “Alsace wines and humanism” by Hubert MAETZ
  • 21 september 2019 – solemn chapter “Alsace wines and the arts” by Frédéric TAGLIANI
  • 26 october 2019 – solemn chapter “Alsace wines around the world” by Patrick FULGRAFF
  • 23 november 2019 – solemn chapter “Alsace wines, Economy and Politics” by Olivier NASTI
Atmosphere: the Brotherhood goes to the Green, solemn chapter, September 2018
Atmosphere: the Brotherhood goes to the Green, solemn chapter, September 2018
Brotherhood St Etienne of Alsace. Gala dinner during a chapter.
Brotherhood St Etienne of Alsace. Gala dinner during a chapter.

Dates of chapters abroad

  • 21 January 2019Berlin in Germany
  • 2 February 2019Karlskrona in Sweden
  • 2 March 2019Amsterdam in the Netherlands
  • 11 July 2019Los Angeles (California) in USA
  • 13 July 2019Fort Worth (Texas) in the USA
  • 26 November 2019London, Great Britain
  • 6 December 2019Brussels in Belgium
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2019 wine tasting workshops

Discover the old vintages of Alsace wines.

Seminars on various themes with wines from the prestigious wine cellar (65000 bottles!) of the brotherhood.
Participation: 42 EUR per person.
The wine tasting workshops of the Saint Etienne brotherhood are a must. They are held in the evening (from 20:00 to 22:00) and are open to all wine lovers (no need to be a member). The participants are usually 20/25 people.

  • 16 May 2019 – Muscat throughout the ages
  • 20 June 2019 – The Pinot Noir from 1995 to 2000
  • 5 September 2019 – Granite
  • 17 October 2019 – Diamonds are forever!
  • 12 December 2019 – The Riesling keeps its cool!
Example of a workshop at the Brotherhood Saint-Etienne: associate wines of Alsace with cheese. The wines are from the wine shop of the brotherhood. The cheese is selected and presented by Jean-François Antony, one of the most famous cheese master of France. The major of the Brotherhood pours the wine. The guests are, on the left, my wife Martine with Suzan and Chris, American friends who regularly stay in one of our holiday apartments in Riquewihr.
Example of a workshop at the Brotherhood Saint-Etienne: pair wines of Alsace with cheese. The wines are from the wine cellar of the brotherhood. The cheese is selected and presented by Jean-François Antony, one of the most famous cheese masters of France. The major of the Brotherhood pours the wine. The guests are, on the left, my wife Martine with Suzan and Chris, American friends who regularly stay in one of our holiday apartments in Riquewihr.

“Combine them as a chef”: Alsatian food and wine

Discover local products presented by renowned chefs or their producers and associate them with Alsace wines. At 19:00. Seminars on various themes with wines from the prestigious wine cellar of the brotherhood.
Participation of 50 EUR per person.
Events not to be missed. They are held in the evening (from 19:00 to 22:00) and are open to all wine lovers (no need to be a member). The participants are usually 20/25 people.

  • 25 April 2019 – THE AIR with Henri GAGNEUX from Restaurant La Palette
  • 23 May 2019 – THE WATER with the fish shop Le Chalutier
  • 3 October 2019 – THE FIRE with the Maison Hirose (bakery, pastry, certified Organic).
  • 7 November 2019 – THE EARTH with the Butcher Shop “Art Boucherie” (which offers products made only from game meat)
Alsace wines and cheese workshop with Jean-François Antony. From left to right, Eric Fargeas, General Delegate of the Brotherhood, Martine Becker, Grand Master 2018, Jean-François Antony, Cheese Master, Ignace Kuehn, Major 2018. Fine cheeses and fine wines from the wine cellar of the brotherhood. This kind of workshop is open to everyone.
Alsace wines and cheese workshop with Jean-François Antony. From left to right, Eric Fargeas, General Delegate of the Brotherhood, Martine Becker, Grand Master 2018, Jean-François Antony, Cheese Master, Ignace Kuehn, Major 2018. Fine cheeses and fine wines from the wine cellar of the brotherhood. This kind of workshop is open to everyone.
Alsace wines and pastry, workshop with Thierry Mulhaupt, master baker.
Alsace wines and confectionery, workshop with Thierry Mulhaupt, a master pastrycook.

Conferences at the castle of the Brotherhood

  • Tuesday 23 april 2019, 19:00
    It seems that the Alsatian winemaker tends to always see its flaws and not be proud enough of what he produces … The aim of this conference is to situate the wines of Alsace among the great French appellations.
    Speakers: Fabrice RENNER wine shop in Saint Louis – Jérôme GAGNEZ wine consultant in Paris and wine columnist for France Inter.

Others activities

  • 23 NOVEMBER 2019 – this AUCTION of old vintages from the Brotherhood’s enoteca takes place every 2 years. A great moment not to be missed, followed by a solemn chapter.
Céline Stentz (Domaine Stentz-Bucher in Wettolsheim), new Major 2019, is surrounded by David Ling (left) in charge of international relations and Jean-Louis Vézien, new Grand Master 2019 of the Brotherhood. Note: The Youth Council, chaired for a year by the Major, brings together aspirants to the Grand Council of less than 45 years: they work actively on the missions of the Brotherhood, and are responsible for the custody of the treasures of the wine shop and the organization of tasting workshops (see the program).
Céline Stentz (Domaine Stentz-Bucher in Wettolsheim), new Major 2019, is surrounded by David Ling (left) in charge of international relations and Jean-Louis Vézien, new Grand Master 2019 of the Brotherhood. Note: The Youth Council, chaired for a year by the Major, brings together aspirants to the Grand Council of less than 45 years: they work actively on the missions of the Brotherhood, and are responsible for the custody of the treasures of the wine shop and the organization of tasting workshops (see the program).

Confrérie Saint-Etienne d’Alsace
Chateau de la Confrérie , 1 Grand Rue, F-68240 Kientzheim
Tél. +33 (0)3 89 78 23 84 – Fax. +33 (0)3 89 47 34 74

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From the small studio to the luxury apartment, the Remparts de Riquewihr propose 14 charming cottages superbly located to discover all of Alsace, the Vosges and even neighboring Germany and Switzerland.
Click to visit our apartments