L'Association Internationale des Vins Rares et Vieux Millésimes brings together collectors, connoisseurs, professionals, and wine experts who share a deep passion for the world’s most prestigious and exceptional crus.

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​The Association traces its spiritual origin back to the golden age of 19th-century Burgundy.

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Dr. Jules Lavalle — the visionary scholar and founder of Burgundy’s terroir classification system — gathered intellectuals, artists, and statesmen around an intimate wine salon he created in Dijon. Among its distinguished guests were Victor Hugo, Gustave Courbet, and many of the era’s cultural luminaries.

 

This salon was not merely a place to taste wine, but a forum where ideas about art, philosophy, and the spirit of terroir intertwined — celebrating wine as a living expression of nature, culture, and human craftsmanship.

 

More than a century later, in the 2010s, Mr. Olivier de Cayron, a descendant of Dr. Lavalle, revived this heritage. Inspired by his ancestor’s philosophy and devotion to Burgundy’s terroirs, he founded the Association to preserve, promote, and transmit the cultural and historical legacy of fine wine.

 

Today, the Association curates exclusive tastings, high-level conferences, and private events designed to deepen appreciation for historic vintages and legendary terroirs. These experiences not only educate but also bring together a global community of collectors, professionals, and cultural ambassadors, united by a shared reverence for the timeless art of wine.

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​Renowned Membership

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The Association is proud to count the following among its members:

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• Olivier de Cayron, president, wine expert and artist, descendant of Dr. Jules Lavalle, author of the 1855 Histoire et statistique de la vigne des grands vins de la Côte d'Or, and creator of the first terroir map of Burgundy.

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• Ting Ding, rare wine expert and investment advisor, with deep experience in wine authentication and portfolio diversification.

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