The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin moved into
the Château du Clos de Vougeot in 1945. Constructed in order to honour the Abbey
of Cîteaux and its wine, it comprises both a manor house and buildings destined
for the production of wine.
The
Château The château and its vineyards were the property of the
Abbey of Cîteaux until the French Revolution after which they were considered
" state property ". In 1818; the Château and its vineyards were bought by Jules
Ouvrard, son of a famous speculator and supplier of Imperial weapons. He eventually
left the Château to live in the Cistercian Château de Gilly, but continued to
dedicate himself to the vineyards. In so doing, Clos de Vougeot remained in
a position of monopoly until 1861.
When Jules Ouvrard died, his heirs (Rochechouart, La Garde, Montalembert) put
the Clos de Vougeot on sale. It was bought in 1889 by six wine merchants from
the region. One of them, Léonce Bocquet also bought the château and it was thanks
to him that the Renaissance section of the château underwent restoration.
The Château then belonged to a Côte-d'Or deputy, Etienne Camuzet, who willingly
allowed the founders of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin to use it and
then handed it over to them in 1944. It was classified as a national monument in 1949 and opened to the general
public.
The
vineyard The
vineyard of Clos de Vougeot, founded in 1098, is the work of the Abbey of Cîteaux.
Established during the time of Saint Bernard, it initially consisted of donations
received between 1109 and 1115. Situated between Echézeaux and Musigny, it extends
from the gentle slopes of the Côte to the plains. Today, it covers 50 hectares,
9500 square metres and 76 centiares.
In the hands of Cîteaux for nearly 7 centuries, the vineyard of the Clos de
Vougeot earnt considerable fame which has made it, along with the vineyards
of Chambertin, one of the most famous in Burgundy.
Today the vineyard is divided up between 80 owners. The Confrérie des Chevaliers
du Tastevin does not own any vineyards nor does it sell any wine.
The
twelfth century farm buildings Ever since the twelfth century, the monks of Cîteaux
have cultivated the vines, selected the young vines, and constantly improved
the pruning and growing methods. In order to do so, buildings were constructed
on the domain.
The cellar and vat house complemented each other perfectly. Built to house more
than 2000 casks, the cellar dates from the middle of the twelfth century and
has eight stone pillars including two monoliths, supporting the ceiling. Several
main beams were replaced in
1947. Situated on ground level, but well protected from air and light, the cellar
and the vat house are both models of architecture and form a cloister (four
30m by 10m galleries around a small central courtyard) with four enormous oak
wine presses. Part of the vat house dates from the twelfth century, others date
from earlier centuries. In the centre of the little courtyard, the Porteur de Benaton can be found,
work of the famous Burgundy sculptor, Henri Bouchard de l'Institut (1875 - 1961).
A
Renaissance residence The
château was later added to the farm buildings in 1551, by Dom Jean Loisier,
48th abbot of Cîteaux.
Following the work of Henri II in the Louvre, it has square towers reminiscent
of the middle ages and an entrance characteristic of the Renaissance.
Abandoned for most of the nineteenth century, the Château was bought and restored
from 1891 by a wine merchant, Léonce Bocquet; the architect, Félix Vionnois,
managed the long and expensive restoration works, which although being distinctive
of the 1900's saved the Château from abandon.
Badly damaged during the Second World War, the Château was patiently and lovingly
restored over the years by the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin and their
numerous friends.
The
vineyard of Clos de Vougeot, founded in 1098, is the work of the Abbey of Cîteaux.
Established during the time of Saint Bernard, it initially consisted of donations
received between 1109 and 1115. Situated between Echézeaux and Musigny, it extends
from the gentle slopes of the Côte to the plains. Today, it covers 50 hectares,
9500 square metres and 76 centiares. 
The
château was later added to the farm buildings in 1551, by Dom Jean Loisier,
48th abbot of Cîteaux. 