The sound of fanfare echoes through the city and blends with the echo of church bells coming from the church within the Palais des Papes in Avignon... Numerous curious tourists, winemakers, clergymen, of course the city officials as well flock to the hill near the papal vineyard. On August 31st this year, Le Ban Des Vendanges is celebrated in Avignon, that is, the day on which, according to the rules of appelation, it is officially allowed to harvest grapes from which wines will later be produced under the label of Cotes Du Rhone.
Colourful crowd heads along the narrow streets towards the Church of Our Lady (Notre Dame des Doms) which forms a part of the Papal Palace... The procession is composed of wine knights and brotherhoods from the entire region, ranging from the famous wine appelations such as Tavel and Ventoux to less known satellites, such as less known hamlets surrounding Avignon which hardly have a post office or a shop, yet proudly host their own wine knight order... Everyone is proud to wear their colourful uniforms and banners ... Bishop of Avignon and the statue of Saint Agricola, patron of all farmers, are at the forefront of the procession. They will pray to St Agricola for a successful end to this year's harvest.

The procession line goes past the vineyards of Le Clos de la Vigne du Palais des Papes, which were planted in 1997 within the walls of the Papal Palace and contain 540 vines representing all the grape varieties allowed in the vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone: Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Marselan, Counoise, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Clairette, Viognier.

What follows next is the solemn entrance into the church where a Mass will be held in the Provencal language (more reminiscent of Spanish or Portuguese than modern French) and a dedication of wine and grapes. There is a note of local patriotism in the air ... Traditional Provencal costumes, language, red-yellow flags ...

The event attracts around 10,000 visitors, making it extremely important for the city of Avignon, which promotes itself as the capital of the Cotes du Rhone appelation. This year Le Ban des Vendanges is being held for the 24th time.

Otherwise, vinegrowers who make their wines under the label Cotes du Rhone are not allowed to determine the start of the harvest themselves. As it was the case in ancient Roman times, local authorities make a decision based on the assessment of the Institute of Viticulture and INAO (L'Institut Nationale de l'origine et de la qualite). The decision depends on several conditions: meteorological, measured parameters in the berries and the criteria for the current year's harvest. After August 31st this year, each vinegrower has the freedom to organize the harvest in their vineyards. The Wine Knights in their own way wished a successful harvest.

 

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