The first fraternity of wine growers in West Flanders Province has been founded in the municipality of Heuvelland. On Saturday evening, a procession in honour of their patron saint, Saint Vincent, passed through the streets. The fraternity hopes the pageant will help to create a good vintage year. It’s about 30 years ago that the first wine growers started to produce wine in West Flanders Province. Meanwhile, West Flanders boasts some 150 hectares of vineyards.
The new fraternity not only has members from Heuvelland, but also from the nearby towns and villages of Staden, Izegem, Wervik and Zonnebeke. ‘We are the first province in Belgium where wine growers have set up a fraternity and celebrate their patron saint, Saint Vincent,’ says wine grower Ward Six (50). Almost 30 years ago, his father started a vineyard on the flanks of the Monteberg Hill in Heuvelland. Heuvelland - by the way - is translated as “Hilly Land”.
Sector with growing economic importance
Although Heuvelland was the cradle for viticulture in West Flanders, you can now also find vineyards in other areas. Together they account for around 150 hectares. ‘This makes us one of the frontrunners in Belgium. Viticulture is one of the strongest growing economic sectors in Belgium,’ says sommelier José Lemahieu.
‘I promise to respect the earth, honour nature and create each wine with care and dedication,’ the winemakers solemnly declared. The procession made its way from the village of De Klijte to the ‘t Zwaluwnest Estate.
Swear honour, love and passion
All the members of the fraternity donned special robes for the occasion: ‘We had beautiful, personalised gowns made in dark maroon, an appropriate colour. We made a vow to wear the gown and vowed to work in the vineyard with honour, love and passion to let people enjoy excellent West Flemish wines,’ Six says. The ceremony concluded with a bonfire, lit with pruned branches from each wine brother.
Expanding the brotherhood
‘We want to repeat this procession every year and attract more and more people,’ says Dirk Syx (60), owner of the Den Nachtegael Estate in Zonnebeke. ‘We already form a close-knit community and this initiative brings us even closer together. Now there are about a score of us here and I hope our brotherhood will thrive.’