This designation comes from the harvest declaration on which producers indicate whether they are cooperatives or private wineries.
The south of France is the birthplace of this group of winegrowers. It began in Languedoc-Roussillon, which at the time claimed hegemony for cooperatives at the expense of independent winegrowers who had been established in the region for several decades.
The reaction was not long in coming. A group of winegrowers created the Federation of Private Cellars, which was the first of many. Their president traveled across France with his pilgrim's staff to convince his colleagues in all wine-growing regions of the need to build a strong national movement.
Despite regional differences, they had one thing in common: they were all independent winegrowers and shared common problems. It was on this basis that the 33 departmental federations that exist today were developed.
Two years later, the Vaucluse federation, which was called the Groupement des Caves Particulières de la Vallée du Rhône (Rhône Valley Private Cellars Group), created the first independent winegrower trade fair, enabling them to take control and promote their products themselves.
Fifteen winegrowers decided to “go to the capital” to present their wines to “the Parisians.” They were the pioneers of the concept of short supply chains, without intermediaries, which has since become part of the DNA of the Independent Winegrowers.
In 1985, the winegrowers united within the Confédération Nationale des Caves Particulières (National Confederation of Private Cellars) undertook to create a collective brand that would convey their values, those that unite them, but also with the aim of enabling consumers to identify the Independent Winegrowers simply by looking at the label on a bottle.
1990 saw the creation of the Independent Winegrowers' Wine Competition. This traveling competition is held in cities where the Caves Particulières congress takes place. The competition has traveled to all wine-growing regions, with rigorous organization. For its latest edition, 5,000 samples were shipped, prepared, anonymized, uncorked, served, tasted, and awarded medals on site.
The Independent Winegrowers Competition
In 2000, the name Caves Particulières was abandoned in favor of a more recognizable name. We became the Independent Winegrowers of France. The logo was also modified to make it easier to read and display on bottles.
In 2009, the format of the annual congresses evolved into “Rencontres Nationales” (National Meetings), held each year in a different wine-producing department. The organization of the competition was separated from this event and became based in Paris.
