Saint Vincent Festival

Saint Vincent Festival: The winemaking tradition in Montoire-sur-le-Loir

Each year in late January, Montoire-sur-le-Loir celebrates Saint Vincent, patron saint of winemakers and protector of vineyard workers, during a traditional festival deeply rooted in the wine identity of the Loir Valley. Organized by the Montoirian Wine and Gastronomic Festival Committee, this festive day perpetuates a tradition dating back to the winemaking brotherhoods of the Middle Ages.

A day in the rhythm of the vine

The Saint Vincent Festival unfolds according to a traditional program that blends spiritual moments with convivial gatherings. The day usually begins with a winemakers' mass in the Montoire church, followed by a procession through the village streets with the statue of Saint Vincent, accompanied by local winemaking brotherhoods and musicians.

Tastings and local gastronomy

The heart of the festival is dedicated to showcasing the wines of Coteaux du Vendômois, an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) that produces red, rosé, and grey wines characteristic of the Loir Valley. Local winemakers offer tastings and direct sales of their produce. Local gastronomic products—charcuterie, cheeses, rillettes, honey—accompany the wines in a spirit of conviviality and sharing.

A unifying gastronomic meal

A grand gastronomic meal, a highlight of the day, brings together winemakers, residents, and visitors around a menu that celebrates local products and the appellation's wines. This convivial meal is an opportunity for exchanges between professionals and amateurs, in the tradition of the winemakers' banquets that have always accompanied Saint Vincent's Day.

Entertainment and popular traditions

Musical entertainment, exhibitions on the wine heritage of the Loir Valley, and conferences on the art of vine and wine complete the program. The festival actively contributes to the promotion of local wines and spirits as well as the valorization of the gastronomic heritage of Montoire-sur-le-Loir and its region.