The Obédiencerie and Saint-Martin: Between Tradition and Legend
Located in the heart of Chablis, the Obédiencerie, a former 9th-century monastery, bears witness to the region’s viticultural history. Listed as a Historic Monument, the property benefits from protection covering the residential house, the press building, and the press itself. The Obédiencerie houses the cellars of Domaine Laroche and tells the legend of Chablis wines, as well as the crucial role of the canons in their renown, while illustrating a rich architectural evolution throughout the centuries.
The Obédiencerie of Chablis
Among its heritage, the old 13th-century press is still a living testament to that era: it was then at the center of a square and was the only local press. A double-action beam press, it is one of the last four specimens of this size in Burgundy.
The Obédiencerie then evolved into a residential house from the 15th century onwards, passing into private ownership at that time. The openings were enlarged. Thus, mullioned windows dating from the late 15th century are visible on the facades. The cellars were further excavated. An enlarged doorway testifies to their evolution, allowing, due to optimized depth, the entire structure to be vaulted for security, but also to improve storage conditions, especially for wines. Traces from the 17th century are also found, such as an inscription engraved in 1633 on an exterior bay lintel.
If they could speak, the walls of the Obédiencerie, which house Domaine Laroche’s aging cellars, could tell the legend of Chablis wines. Major players in the Chablis vineyard for several centuries, the canons of the Obédiencerie built the reputation of the vintages through their incredible landed heritage and their commitment to quality.
Nestled in the heart of the village of Chablis, this ancient monastery, whose oldest foundations dating from the 9th century saw the birth of the first Chablis wines, is incredibly well preserved today. Listed in the inventory of Historic Monuments, its buildings house an architectural ensemble that has evolved over the centuries.
The Obédiencerie today bears witness to several significant eras in Chablis, which can be visited.
As far back as history can be traced, the story begins in 867: King Charles the Bald, passing through Auxerre at Saint-Germain monastery, announced that he was donating a ‘cella’ in Chablis, dependent on the royal treasury, with all its dependencies, to the canons of Saint-Martin of Tours.
The foundations of the stair turret still visible in the cellars are Carolingian in date.
If they could speak, the walls of the Obédiencerie, which house Domaine Laroche’s aging cellars, could tell the legend of Chablis wines. Major players in the Chablis vineyard for several centuries, the canons of the Obédiencerie built the reputation of the vintages through their incredible landed heritage and their commitment to quality.
Nestled in the heart of the village of Chablis, this ancient monastery, whose oldest foundations dating from the 9th century saw the birth of the first Chablis wines, is incredibly well preserved today. Listed in the inventory of Historic Monuments, its buildings house an architectural ensemble that has evolved over the centuries.
As far back as history can be traced, the story begins in 867: King Charles the Bald, passing through Auxerre at Saint-Germain monastery, announced that he was donating a ‘cella’ in Chablis, dependent on the royal treasury, with all its dependencies, to the canons of Saint-Martin of Tours.
The foundations of the stair turret still visible in the cellars are Carolingian in date.
The History of Saint-Martin
In homage to this great moment in History, Laroche has dedicated its most emblematic Chablis wine to Saint Martin and celebrates it every year in November. Saint-Martin embodies the symbol of sharing and generosity throughout the world, just like the Laroche Chablis Saint Martin cuvée.
Saint Martin is today the Patron Saint of the town of Chablis, represented on its coat of arms.
From Life to Legend
Saint Martin was born in present-day Hungary in 316 and exerted considerable influence on the success of Chablis wines.
He was first a Roman legionary in 4th-century Gaul. One day, while on duty in northern France, in Amiens, legend has it that Saint-Martin cut his military cloak in two with his sword, to give half to a destitute man shivering from cold. He only possessed part of the cloak, the other half being state property.
After this act of charity, Saint-Martin converted to Christianity and became Saint-Martin of Tours, the patron saint of travelers and pilgrims.
When he died in 397, his relics were preserved in Tours where they became the object of fervent worship.
Nearly five centuries later, the abbots of the city, fearing Norman invasions, hid the precious relics in one of their discreet properties: this is the Obédiencerie of Chablis. The niche that sheltered them is still visible in the remains of a tower, amidst the wines of Domaine Laroche in production.
Did you know?
The legend of Saint-Martin’s cloak is at the origin of the word “Chapel” and of the Capetian dynasty, the kings of France from the 10th to the 15th century.
