The Compagnie de la Côte du Rhône Gardoise offered a time of celebration and joy “in an anxious world” on the occasion of Saint-Vincent

Every year, the brotherhood celebrates Saint Vincent in a different village in the Gard Rhodanien. The Companions carry the statue of Saint Vincent, patron saint of winegrowers, which will remain in Carsan this year. Midi Libre – C. C.

Father André Chapus celebrated mass in Provençal. Midi Libre – C. C.

In the foreground, three members of the great Chapus family, Jean-Yves who directs L’Harmonie Les Inséparables, the new Companion of Honor Christophe, and Father André Chapus. Midi Libre – C. C.

Alain Pradier, who has dedicated his entire career to the wine sector, was inducted as a Companion of Honor of the Compagnie de la Côte du Rhône gardoise, this Sunday in Carsan. Midi Libre – C. C.

The Harmonie Les Inséparables, from Bagnols-sur-Cèze, shared the high quality of its musical work. Midi Libre – C. C.

Active Companions of the Gardoise Côte du Rhône Company, after the mass in Provençal and before the chapter. Midi Libre – C. C.

At the end of the mass, in a church dating from the 12th century, one of the oldest in the region, recalled Father Chapus. Midi Libre – C. C.

This year, the brotherhood had chosen Carsan for the feast of the patron saint of winegrowers. A mass in Provençal, a tribute to Alain Robert and Yvonne Jean, a chapter (the 515th) of the Bacchic brotherhood with two inductions, music and a meal on the menu of this event which celebrates traditions and the terroir. 

As is customary on this date, the Compagnie de la Côte du Rhône gardoise celebrated Saint-Vincent, the patron saint of winegrowers, this Sunday in Carsan (an event that took place in Orsan last year). First stop, the procession of companions in blue and gold outfits with the wooden statue of the saint who will watch over the village all year, in the church. A hundred people attended a “friendly” masscelebrated by Father André Chapus, a mass said entirely in Provençal, a first. This is the mass that Alain Robert de Saint-Alexandre had written, under the leadership of Father Chapus. Alain Robert, who died in February 2024, had created the Bel Canto choir, and choristers from this now dissolved ensemble wanted to be there. They sang with the parish choristers. A moving thought was also shared for Yvonne Jean, who died during the night from Saturday to Sunday. The centenarian was a companion of the Côte du Rhône and had chaired the Païs Nostre association. “We are here in one of the oldest churches in the region [it dates from the 12th century], recalled the man of the Church. We must know how to celebrate. We need it so much in this complicated world.”

2,432 companions of honor have been inducted since the creation of the brotherhood in 1980  

Then, the companions and residents of Carsan and the surrounding area, the mayors of Orsan, Saint-Victor-la-Coste, Saint-Julien-de-Peyrolas and Carsan of course went to the village hall. Very happy to host the event, the mayor of Carsan Brigitte Vandemeulebroucke recalled that there was only one winemaker left in activity in her commune. Two Carsanais were inducted during this 515th chapter of the Bacchic brotherhood. Alain Pradier and Christophe Chapus are the 2431st and 2432nd companions of honor invited to “carry high and strong the values ​​of the Company” as indicated by the Grand Chancellor Géry Delbecque. Marc Meunier, Grand Master, declared: “Our land of Gard rhodanien has always produced noble and generous wines […]. Our winegrowers are cruelly threatened. Despite everything, our winegrowers have a deep faith in their vines.” The applicant Christophe Chapus, “a jack-of-all-trades”, was an architect and then manager of two breweries in Pont-Saint-Esprit. “He also knows how to do good to people, it's in his deep nature. His hands have acquired the ability to relieve ailments.” The Carsanais is a naturopathic magnetizer. As for Alain Pradier, he is well known in the wine industry, he has devoted his life to it! He was assistant cellar master then head cellar master at the cooperative cellar of Pont-Saint-Esprit, he will manage the cellar of Saint-Gervais, take over the family estate, and become president of the cellar of Pont-Saint-Esprit.

“Wine, anchored in our civilization for more than 2000 years”

The ceremony and the meal were marked by sharing and joy, carried by the talent of musicians, the duo Cabr’e can and the Harmonie Les Inséparables de Bagnols, directed by another Chapus, Jean-Yves Thus three Chapus cousins ​​were reunited. “Every occasion is good to remind us that in this anxiety-ridden world, we have to party and treat ourselves from time to time. Wine is about conviviality. We're fed up with these anti-alcohol advertisements with a glass of wine as an illustration. Wine has been anchored in our civilization for over 2000 years”, confided Géry Delbecque, naturally worried for his fellow winemakers: “The crisis from 2002 to 2012 did a lot of harm, the winemakers drew on their reserves. Today, there are no more reserves.” The final word to Marc Meunier who likes to remind us about the Compagnie de la Côte du Rhône gardoise, “we do serious things without taking ourselves too seriously serious“. The companions offered Carsan a memorable party.

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