Ban des Vendanges Procession to Mass 9/20/2026

The Ban des Vendanges (Harvest Proclamation) is a historic festival celebrating the official start of the wine harvest across various French regions—most famously in medieval Saint-Émilion and the Rhône Valley. Sunday Morning Procession to Mass: On the third Sunday of September, the festival kicks off with a solemn morning procession to the Jurade Mass. Members of the Jurade (the historic wine brotherhood) parade through the cobblestone streets dressed in striking, crimson robes and white capes, modeled after medieval aldermen. Led by the Master of Ceremonies, the Standard Bearer, and the Grand Vintner, the quiet procession moves toward the Collegiate Church or Monolithic Church, accompanied by the deep cadence of traditional instruments or bagpipes. Once at the church, a special vigneronne (winemakers') mass is held to bless the upcoming harvest and the grapevines. Other Rituals Associated with the EventThe Induction Ceremony: Following Mass, new members and international honorary ambassadors (including celebrities, politicians, and wine dignitaries) are formally inducted into the Jurade in the open-air moat of the Cardinal Palace. They swear an oath to defend and promote the region's wines.Traditional Grape Pressing: In regional variations like Avignon, fresh grapes are brought to an old-fashioned wooden press right in the village square to yield the very first taste of new juice. Proclaiming the "Ban": The structural climax occurs when the Jurats climb to the top of the Tour du Roy (King’s Tower). From the ramparts, they deliver an official speech and loudly proclaim the harvest open. The Feasts & Torchlight Parades: The daytime ceremonies break into massive public gourmet markets, synchronized multi-course wine pairings, and late-night music. The prior Saturday evening often includes a dramatic, torchlit parade through the streets followed by fireworks. History of the Ban des Vendanges The "ban" originates from feudal medieval law, dating back over 800 years. Historically, it was an administrative restriction: winegrowers were legally forbidden from picking grapes until local experts evaluated the vineyards to ensure optimal ripeness. This strictly enforced launch date prevented low-quality, premature harvesting and preserved the prestige of French wine. While the modern French government no longer legally mandates harvest dates, the brotherhoods revived these rituals in the 20th century to act as cultural preservation and a symbolic link between the heritage of the past and the future of the crop.