Welcome to the Knights of the Vine (KOV) — a social and educational association that brings together people who share a passion for wine. Our members connect to celebrate the pleasures of wine, explore its rich culture, and deepen their knowledge. We unite wine lovers, producers, and merchants through engaging events that highlight exceptional domestic wines, renew appreciation for global varieties, and offer insights into every aspect of winemaking — from vineyard to glass.
Founded in 1964 as a non-profit organization, the Knights of the Vine continues to host gatherings for members and guests that combine the joy of shared experiences with a commitment to wine education.
This website offers information related to the activities of several Northern California chapters: The Sacramento (Chancellery) Chapter of the Knights of the Vine, and the Lake Tahoe Region Chapter of the Knights of the Vine, the Lodi Chapter of the Knights of the Vine, and the San Francisco/Bay Area Chapter of the Knights of the Vine. If you are looking for a chapter in your local area, you can find a complete list on KOV.org.
What we do: We hold fun and interesting events throughout the year, focused on the enjoyment of food, wine, and wine education. We meet at various venues – at wineries, in private homes, or in area restaurants. Our KOV events can be as close as a few miles away, or internationally in conjunction with other chapters. Members of our chapters are welcome to join events sponsored by any of the many other chapters throughout the USA and the world. A calendar of upcoming Northern California events can be found on our Events page. During most of the year, on any month you will find KOV events across the six active chapters in Northern California: Chancellery (Sacramento), Lake Tahoe Region, Lodi, San Francisco/Bay Area, and Monterey. Most events are quite casual. You can get an idea of the breadth of KOV events across the United States on the National KOV calendar. Members of KOV are welcome anywhere KOV is hosting an event.
Our Roots: The genesis of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine goes all the way back to ancient days in France. Just after the French Revolution, the French began classifying and elevating the nobility of vine stocks, imposing various quality regulations, such as the “Appellation Controllee.” In 1901, France imposed a decree regulating wine brotherhoods. When the Americas designation was granted, Sacramento’s Chancellery Chapter of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine became the first brotherhood chartered in the United States.
Annual Assemblage: Each chapter holds a Grand Assemblage of members annually. This is our only formal event, steeped in the traditions of the old Brotherhoods of Wine, focused on inducting new members. A gourmet, multi-course dinner with paired wines follows the induction ceremony. Events other than the Grand Assemblage are quite informal.
Membership: Membership is by invitation. There is an initiation fee, and a nominal annual renewal fee. We welcome new members who share our love of wine, have a desire to learn more about viticulture and enology, and wish to support the causes selected by the KOV chapters. If you are interested, please fill out the Contact form and someone will be in touch. If you are ready to join now, fill out the Membership Application. Welcome to KOV and let the fun begin!