Châteauneuf-du-Pape: The 360th Chapter of the Échansonnerie des Papes
On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the 360th chapter of the Échansonnerie des Papes, the emblematic brotherhood of the winemakers of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, took place at the Palais des Papes in Avignon. The evening concluded with a gala dinner bringing together more than 200 guests in the Grand Tinel hall, marking yet another milestone for the appellation.
Renowned figures inducted
Presided over by Frédéric Coulon, the ceremony began with the induction of sixteen new members from the fields of oenology, gastronomy, culture, business, and music:
Océane Gerriet, Grégory Romefort, Dariusz Szleper, Christine Vernay, Jorn Bogh, Olivier Poussier, Christine Sprile, Logan Thouillez, Catalin Paduraru, Jean-Charles Cazes, Jean-Pierre Boisivon, Patrick Arnaud, Alain Mathieu, Paz Levinson, Yvan Cassar, and Philip Shwander.
This grand ceremony took place in the mythical Conclave hall.
Three major figures from the world of wine drew particular attention: Olivier Poussier, World’s Best Sommelier 2000; Paz Levinson, internationally renowned sommelier and Wine Director for the Anne-Sophie Pic group; and Logan Thouillez, representing the new generation of French sommeliers. Their induction highlighted the importance the brotherhood places on transmission, education, and oenological excellence.
A dinner celebrating gastronomy
After the ceremony, guests gathered in the Grand Tinel hall for a dinner crafted by Chef Julien Allano (Ju–Maison de Cuisine, Bonnieux). The Chef offered a precise and modern menu, built around seasonal products and designed to dialogue with the diversity of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.
The cheese selection, orchestrated by Hervé Mons, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, and Jean-Charles Arnaud (Juraflore, Fort des Rousses), provided a new tasting sequence, marked by clearly defined and perfectly mastered pairings.
Beyond the prestige of the inductees, this 360th chapter reaffirmed the importance of the Palais des Papes in the history of the brotherhood and the shared commitment of the winemakers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to promoting their appellation through its core values: tradition, excellence, and transmission.
Complete list of inductees:
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Ms. Océane GERRIET, Gendarmerie Officer
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Mr. Grégory ROMEFORT, restaurateur and restaurant consultant
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Mr. Dariusz SZLEPER, Lawyer
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Ms. Christine VERNAY, winemaker, Domaine Georges Vernay, Condrieu
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Mr. Jorn BOGH, Ophthalmologist, refractive surgery
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Mr. Olivier POUSSIER, Sommelier. Best Sommelier of France 1990 and Best Sommelier of the World 2000
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Ms. Christine SPRILE, Head of the Private Secretariat of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco
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Mr. Logan THOUILLEZ, Head Sommelier at Maison Albar Hotels Imperator Nîmes, Galaxy Gagnaire
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Mr. Catalin PADURARU, President of the VINARIUM international wine competition, certified wine taster, author and wine journalist
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Mr. Jean-Charles CAZES, head of the estates of the Cazes Family
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Mr. Jean-Pierre BOISIVON, Professor Emeritus at Paris 2–Panthéon-Assas University
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Mr. Patrick ARNAUD, President and co-founder of the VITAE association (Vins de Terroirs et Amateurs Éclairés)
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Mr. Alain MATHIEU, milk producer, President of the Comté interprofession in Poligny
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Ms. Paz LEVINSON, Argentine sommelier. Best Sommelier of Argentina in 2010 and 2014, Best Sommelier of the Americas 2015. Executive Sommelier for the Anne-Sophie Pic group
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Mr. Yvan CASSAR, Composer and pianist
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Mr. Philip SHWANDER, Owner of “Selection Schwander”, a wine shop serving 90,000 clients across Switzerland, Master of Wine
Exceptional wines in abundance
The evening was an opportunity to enjoy outstanding cuvées and vintages from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. As tradition dictates, the Cuvée de l’Hospice was served in amphorae. Magnums, jeroboams, and even rehoboams circulated among the guests. Among the many bottles, notably:
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Famille Isabel Ferrando — Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tradition Red 2020
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Domaine de la Solitude, Famille Lançon — Vin de la Solitude, White 2023
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Domaine de la Charbonnière — Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cuvée Les Hautes Brusquières 2021, jeroboam
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Domaine Pierre Usseglio & fils — Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tradition Red 2015, jeroboam
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Domaine Roger Perrin — Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Réserve des Vieilles Vignes Red 2012, jeroboam
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Domaine Beaurenard — Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cuvée Boisrenard, Red 2011
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Cuvée de l’Hospice — Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Donation Red 2021
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Domaine Saint Préfert — Châteauneuf-du-Pape, White 2019
… and many more!
