Ceremonial and Regalia - The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom

Historic Background

Every country in the world where wine has been made over the centuries has developed ceremonial by which the finished wine can be celebrated. In many cases this has been by the formation of 'guilds', usually local, where those involved can enjoy traditional local food, good company, and the fruit of their labours - vinified.

Wine has been made in this country off and on over two millenia and global warming is leading to greatly increased activity in this country. The Wine Guild reflects tradition. The regalia includes a banner, a mace and 'the vine'. Members of Council wear velvet robes and hats when new members are introduced, or 'intronised', on visits to foreign countries and for the Harvest Supper amongst other events.

Each member has an individual heavy medallion with the Guild's crest in full colour.

The Guild's Regalia

Photo of the medallion
The Guild's Insignia
The Guild's regalia are based upon the mediaeval Guild tradition with robes, medallions, banner and mace. Central to this is the insignia which appears as the motif on the Guild's banner, is enamelled on members' medallions, and is embroidered in wire on the Councillors' gowns.

The symbols in the insignia represent:
  • The Globe:
    the World of Wine
  • The Union Flag:
    the United Kingdom
  • The Fleur de Lys:
    the Fédération Internationale des Confréries Bachiques, Paris, of which the Guild is a member
  • The Ship:
    the historical connection of the UK with Bordeaux and the international wine trade.
The Guild's Vine, which is incorporated into all of its ceremonial and used for the intronisation of new members, was commissioned by the Guild in 2002 from the celebrated London silversmith, Grant McDonald, who designed and executed an elaborate boss incorporating the Guild's insignia, with the staff entwined in vine leaves and grape bunches. The vine was cut from original stock on the Beaulieu Estate.

Ceremonial

Procedure for Intronisations

Master of Ceremonies: Invites members and guests to take their seats and calls the procession to order and it enters in order.
  • Master of Ceremonies
  • Vice Chancellor
  • The Chancellor
  • Council
  • Root of Vine
  • The new members
Master of Ceremonies gavels three times and states the Guild's objectives.

The Vine is handed to the Chancellor - the Intronisation commences.

Chairman of Membership Committee then reads a brief curriculum vitae of each new member who in turn comes forward.

The Chancellor shakes the new member's hand, welcomes him to the Guild and taps him on the shoulder with the Root of the Vine and presents his scroll of membership.

Master of Ceremonies then calls the new member to take the Oath and the Chancellor proposes a toast to the new member and to the Guild.