The Antico Counfrarie Sant Andiu de la Galinièro is believed to be one of the oldest wine brotherhoods in France. Taking over from a Brotherhood of Plowmen founded in Béziers (France) in 1140, it was reinstated in 1968 to promote the wine traditions of the region of Béziers, n°1 French vineyard with over 300 000 Ha of vines and a production of over 20 000 Hl.
Its reinstatement in 1968 coincided with the creation of the Feria of Béziers and both therefore celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. The Feria, a huge celebration inside the city lasting 5 days, attracted this year over 700 000 participants !
During the 2018 edition of the Feria, the Sant Andiu brotherhood invited the other wine and gastronomic brotherhoods of the region to join them to celebrate. .After a solemn mass in the Arenas of Beziers, honoring the Holy Virgin carried at men’s shoulder by the winebrothers , the brotherhoods marched through the town and attended later a wonderful horse show.
The Sant Andiu wine brotherhood will celebrate its 500th Chapter on next 22 October and will then have made over 1300 enthronizations since it reinstatement.
For information about the wines of Languedoc www.languedoc-wines.com
For information on the Féria of Béziers and the region www.beziers-in-mediterranee.com
Photos :
The procession and the Mass at the Arenas
The presentation of diplomas to the participating brotherhoods on the Allée Paul Riquet (named after the founder of the Canal du Midi)
(with Grand Master Jean Chabrat, Louisette Mermet, Chancellor and the president of F.I.C.B.)
The Féria and the horse show:
