Worshipful Company of Vintners
The
Worshipful Company of Vintners is one of the
Livery Companies of the
City of London. It probably existed as early as the twelfth century, and it received a
Royal Charter in 1364. Due to the Royal Charter, the Company gained a monopoly over wine imports from
Gascony. Also, it acquired the right to sell wine without a licence, and it became the most powerful company in the wine trade. However, in 1553, it lost its right to sell wine anywhere in the country. Today, it only retains the right to sell wine without licence in and within three miles of the City of London.
One of the more peculiar rights of the Company involves the ceremony of
Swan Upping.
The Vintners' Company ranks eleventh in the
order of precedence of Livery Companies, making it one of the "Great Twelve Livery Companies". The Company's motto is
Vinum Exhilarat Animum, Latin for
Wine Cheers the Mind.
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The Vintners' Company
