On the heels of the cult wine episodes, the biddies take a deeper dive into Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. Tune in to learn all about this highly sought after (and very expensive) Burgundy wine. While you may never get to try it, you’ll be in the know! And you’ll also learn about the time all the vines were almost poisoned by a crazy guy demanding a ransom – yikes!!

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Sources:

Primum Familiae Vini (pfv.org)

Pol Roger – The “British” Champagne House (gentlemansgazette.com)

10 things you should know about Antinori | Cult Wines (wineinvestment.com)

9 Things You Should Know About Vega Sicilia | VinePair

Amid Climate Change, Spain’s Torres Family Bets on Ancient Grapes | Wine Enthusiast Magazine

5 facts about Sassicaia – Moncharm Wine Traders

19 Facts About Baron Philippe De Rothschild Wine (cancanawards.com)

Study Notes for First Families of Wine / Primum Familiae Vini:

Primum Familiae Vini

  • The association was established in 1993 by Miguel Torres and Robert Drouhin (Maison Joseph Drouhin) after they came up with the idea in 1990
  • Goal was to organize some of the best wine producing families and the world and facilitate exchange between them
  • Requirements including owning a winery that belongs to the top echelon of its region and enjoys a high international reputation 
  • New members are only accepted by unanimous decision 
  • Membership is limited to 12 families
    • According to the members 85% of family businesses do not make it past the second generation
  • Former members include:
    • Mondavi Family (Napa, left after sold to Constellation)
    • Paul Jaboulet Aine, Rhone
    • Bruno Prats, Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Bordeaux

Members:

  • Marchesi Antinori (Antinori, Tuscany)
    • 1385
    • Been making wine for 26 generations
    • In 1900 Piero Antinori bought several vineyard in the Chianti Classico region including 47 hectares at Tignanello
    • His son Niccolo “positively scandalized” Tuscany in 1924 by making a Chianit containing Bordeaux wine varietals
    • Not the original super tuscan – that’s sassicaia 
  • Baron Phijlippe de Rothschild (Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Bordeaux)
    • 1853
    • Makers of Lafite, one of the five rarefied first growths a bottle of which sold in 2010 for $232,692 at auction
  • Joseph Drouhin (Maison Joseph Drouhin, Burgundy)
    • 1880
    • Fourth generation 
  • Egon Muller Scharzhof (Mosel)
    • 1787
    • Egon Muller the Fourth is the current custodian of the most famous vineyard in Germany – his son his waiting the wings
    • He is the 4th Egon Muller but the 6th generation of the family to own and run the estate
    • His dog is also named Egon
  • Familie Hugel (Alsace)
    • 1639
    • 13th generation
  • Pol Roger (Champagne)
    • 1849
    • The British Champagne House
    • Established by an 18 year old Pol Roger under the single name of Roger
    • In 1908 Winston Churchill drank Champagne from Pol Roger for the first time
    • He became a big fan and became a prominent ambassador of Pol Roger
    • He regularly received a case of his favorite vintage from 1928 until that year ran out, then he drank 1934 until his death
    • Was the purveyor of Champagne to the royal family in 1911
  • Famille Perrin (Chateau de Beaucastle, Rhone)
    • 1909
    • Leading organic winemaker in southern Rhone
  • Symington Family Estates (Duoro/Oporto, Portugal)
    • 1882
    • W&J Graham’s, Warre’s, Cockburn’s Ports
    • Andrew James Symington arrived in Portugal in 1882 at the age of 19 and is from Glasgow 
    • 5th generation
  • Tenuta San Guido (the producer of Sassicaia, Tuscany)
    • 1942
    • Sassicaia comes from the Latin word for “wild boar” because the property was once home to a large population of wild boards
    • Cabernet Sauvignon 
  • Familia Torres (Bodegas Torres, Catalonia, Spain)
    • 1870
    • Has 50 acres of Forcada an ancient grape that was successfully resuscitated 
  • Vega Sicilla (Ribera del Duero, Spain)
    • 1864
    • Original wine maker Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves was Bordeaux trained and originally planted only Bordeaux grapes at the winery
    • Today most of Vega Sicilia’s wines are made with tempranillo
    • “Unico” is their top cuvee and means unique or only one
    • Often referred to as Spain’s first growth and is made with various percentages of Tempranillo and Caberent Suavignon 
    • Also produces dessert wine in Hungary
  • Domaine Clarence Dillon (Bordeaux)
    • 1935
    • 5th generation

History

  • Drouhin & Torres were discussing the challenges facing family wine companies in an era of globalization and ever larger corporations
  • Inspired the idea of an annual gathering where a select group of representatives from some of the world’s leading wine families could share their collective talents and knowledge in the pursuit of greater excellence

PFV Prize

  • A 100,000 Euro prize called “Family is Sustainability” that was put together to encourage other multi-generational family companies in any field of activity
    • Objective is to reward family companies that represent the best values in terms of continuity, excellence, contribution to the community, protection of the environment and who are focused on preservation of hand-crafted traditions and skills
      • Brun de Vian Tiran – a family owned silk & wool manufacturer 
      • Maison Bernard – a luthier shop (stringed musical instruments)

PFV Cases

  • Haute Couture Case – 2 per year
    • 12 wines – 1 of the greatest wines ever produced from each PFV family
    • The case itself is made from incredibly rare Marsh Oak that is estimated to be over 1,000 years old
    • The wood was buried in marshland for so long it turned anthracite-black in color
    • The case comes with a special PFV passport which allows the recipient to visit each of the 12 PFV members at their vineyard or winery for a private tour and enjoy a meal with the family
    • It has been auctioned off for charity previously and they have raised more than 3 million dollars for charities
    • In 2022, 1 case was auctioned off at Sotheby’s for $237,500
  • Limited Edition Case – 12 per year
    • Also made from Marsh Oak by the same artisan in Cognac France and is naturally a dark world 
    • 12 bottles – 1 of the finest wines produced in recent years from each member of the family 
    • Occasionally a limited edition case is given to a distinguished head of state including the King of Spain and King of Sweden