In the majestic halls of the Château de Chambord, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco will preside over this prestigious wine event, bringing together rare wines and haute cuisine in an historic setting. And an invitation could be yours.
This autumn, the worlds of fine wine and heritage converge in a setting as grand as the occasion itself. On November 12th, the 2025 Francs de Pied Grand Chapitre will take place at the Château de Chambord, in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, honorary chairman of the Association Francs de Pied: Heritage. The annual gala is a celebration of ungrafted vines, bringing together benefactors, winemakers and cultural patrons.
The event begins with a lecture by José Vouillamoz, the renowned ampelographer and co-director of the Francs de Pied Scientific Committee, who will talk about the history and preservation of ungrafted vines. In the evening, Chambord will provide the setting for a dinner created by chef Christophe Hay of the two Michelin-starred Fleur de Loire. His menu will be paired with rare wines, including Liber Pater, each presented by the winemakers themselves.
A charity auction will offer a series of exceptional lots: among them a bottle of VVF 2014 Bollinger, with a private tasting at the estate; a Lafite Rothschild 1868; a night at Chambord complete with dinner at Fleur de Loire and a visit to Domaine Thierry Germain; a Niepoort 1863 port; plus a collector’s case of the nine wines served during the 2025 Grand Chapitre. The function will also witness the first inductions into the Order of the Francs de Pied. The following day, benefactors will be able to explore the Domaine and the Chambord estate in greater depth.
While, understandably, most oenophiles would wish to attend, participation is reserved for benefactor members of the Association Francs de Pied: Heritage, whose annual contribution of €10,000 supports initiatives including the recognition of ungrafted vine culture as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
For the select guests in attendance, the 2025 Francs de Pied Grand Chapitre will be a salutation of fine wine, gastronomy and cultural stewardship, set against the backdrop of one of France’s most majestic landmarks.
