Activities

The Chapters

At the Confrérie Saint-Etienne, a Chapter is a formal evening gala, which constitutes a momentous event on the wine calendar. It begins with a ritual led tasting of the different Alsace wine varieties, followed by a lively wine tasting in order to determine the appropriate rank of Confrère or Consoeur, then the solemn ceremonial of the Grand Council where the new members are officially inducted, and finally, the sparkling black-tie gala dinner.

At each Chapter, the gala dinner is a gastronomic event that is entrusted to the best and most innovative chefs in Alsace, whose creations are matched by the finest Alsace wines bearing the coveted Confrérie “Sigille”.

As befits the setting of a 16th century Château, the décor is unique: guests are welcomed in the gardens and main courtyard to the sound of hunting horns, the ceremonies take place in an historic cellar, and the waxed floors of the banquet halls invites dancing between courses, while the magnificent cellar beneath the Château reveals the vinous treasures of the Confrérie’s Oenothèque.

The elegance of the black-tie dinner is further enhanced by the coloured ribbons of each Confrère and Consoeur, the traditional Alsace folk costumes of the hostesses, and the wide-brimmed black hats and long scarlet robes of the members of the Grand Council. Following the traditional calendar, six Official “Solemn” Chapters are held each year:

  1. # Chapter of the Winegrowers (January)
  2. # Chapter of the Flowering Vine (June)
  3. # Summer Chapter (June)
  4. # Autumn Chapter (September)
  5. # Harvest Chapter (September)
  6. # Chapter for Gastronomy Professionals (November)

    Open to all, these Chapters are eagerly awaited by all lovers of Alsace wines, enthusiasts and professional, from France and from overseas, both novices and experts alike. All are drawn to the famously difficult "4th tasting test" where older vintages have to be identified “blind” (and where the winner receives a selection of rare wines). Everyone spontaneously joins in the spirited atmosphere of gastronomy and conviviality.

Upon request, the Confrérie can also organize similarly high-quality private Chapters for a family, a group of friends, a company, for groups of from 20 to 250 people, perfectly tailored to the individual requirements of each group. Everything can be adapted to suit all preferences and budgets---the food, the wines, the entertainment—all in the historic setting of a legendary Château, the perfect combination of a custom-designed event in exceptional surroundings...
Information, prices and registration on request from the Chancellery – See the “News” section.

Tastings

The tutored tastings organized by the Confrérie Saint-Etienne are well-run, informative events that provide a basic foundation in Alsace wines, of which some of the finest examples will be tasted, each one selected for its quality and typicity.

Always conducted by Council members of the Brotherhood, wearing their traditional insignias, each session begins with a short introduction to the wines of Alsace and to the Brotherhood Saint-Etienne, its history, its place in the wine culture of Alsace, its traditions, its activities and its “Sigille” seal of quality.

The tasting that follows will present in detail a range of Alsace varietal wines, chosen from those that have been awarded the famous “Sigille” by the Brotherhood. The wines may also be accompanied by traditional breads or other specialities such as pretzels, kougelhopf or langhopf. There will also be a guided tour of the Château, its reception rooms, the Chapter House reserved for members of the Grand Council, the ceremonial cellar, the vaulted crypt and above all the Oenothèque (wine library), a living memorial to Alsace wines which contains vintages dating back to 1834.

Each led tasting lasts from 60 to 90 minutes, and can be easily combined with a visit to the Museum of the Vineyards and Wines of Alsace that is situated on the grounds of the Château. For groups of at least 10 people, three different types of tastings are available (in French, English or German):

The tutored tasting: a Council member will introduce you to the techniques of wine tasting and help you to recognize and appreciate four different varietal wines (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer), selected from a recent vintage.

The official ceremony: a delegation of Grand Council members will conduct the tasting ceremony that is used during the Chapters, with five Alsace wines (traditionally Sylvaner, Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer). You may then be inducted as a Confrère or Consoeur, if you successfully pass the tasting test and swear allegiance to Alsace wines: you will then receive the diploma, ribbon and medal, as you become an ambassador for the Brotherhood and the lifestyle of Alsace. The older vintages seminar: Designed for experienced wine-enthusiasts, the Brotherhood organizes seminars to taste wines selected from the Oenothèque, each time with a specific theme, sometimes “vertical” (different vintages of the same grape) or “horizontal” (different grapes from the same vineyard or vintage). Participants will enjoy learning to taste (or perfecting their knowledge), along with the opportunity to discover the treasures of the Oenothèque, and experience firsthand proof of the ageing potential of Alsace wines.

Information and prices are available on request from the Chancellery – See the “News” section.

Hiring the Château

Constructed in 16th Century on the ramparts of the village of Kientzheim, near Kaysersberg, the Château of the Brotherhood Saint-Etienne was most notably the residence of one of the victorious generals of Charles the Fifth, Lazare de Schwendi, who first brought the wine of Tokay to Alsace as booty from his campaigns in Hungary. Purchased by the Brotherhood Saint-Etienne in 1973, the Château houses an Oenothèque (wine library) whose oldest bottles date back to 1834; today it is the setting for festive, cultural and professional events centered on the wines of Alsace.

Thanks to the diversity and modularity of its buildings and equipment, the Château is magnificently suited not only to important family celebrations, but also to the most prestigious and stylish of corporate events.

The following rooms are available, individually or collectively: The Grand Caveau (ceremonial cellar), where the official tastings of the Brotherhood are held; it can accommodate up to 280 guests and is fully equipped for audio-visual presentations; on the village side are the floral gardens of the main courtyard within its fortified walls, while on the vineyard side is one hectare (about 2.5 acres) of gardens. Each of the two banquet halls (Dreyer and Schwendi) can accommodate 130 to 150 seated guests, with a dance floor, tables and chairs. The wood-panelled Chapter House, where Grand Council meetings are held, can seat up to 50 guests.

Numerous other amenities are available: a walled parking area for about 110 vehicles; a professionally-equipped kitchen that is specially designed to meet the requirements of the top caterers who regularly prepare the Chateau’s gastronomic banquets; glasses, cutlery, dishes, linens, etc. can be hired, as well as audio-visual equipment, floral or lighting decoration, photographic services, entertainment (music, hunting horns, wine tastings, etc.).

Full details and prices are available upon request from the Chancellery.