The proprietors of St Helena’s Restaurant and Function Centre at Lochinvar were taken by surprise when they were named Noble Knights of Tastevin at a fairytale function held at the stunning Chateau du Clos de Vougeot in the French region of Burgundy on September 27.

More than 600 guests – including heads of states, royalty, educators, artists, scientists and astronauts – who attended the Confrérie des Chevalier du Tastevin event to celebrate the Equinox Chapter of the Writers and Winetasters Guild looked on while the sisters received the honour.

The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin began as a felllowship of wine makers in Burgundy.

It is an official order of Burgundy and a semi-official order of France.

There are more than 12,000 members throughout the world, most in Europe, and only six members in Australia.

But Marika and Elizabeth Enderle made more history at their “intronisation” because they were the second and third members of their family to receive the honour.

Their father John was appointed in 1997.

It was the French Impressionist-style art of the sisters that led to their titles, supported by their continued operation of St Helena.

The knighthood recognised the sisters’ outstanding contribution to art, hospitality and tourism, as well as keeping the connection with France.

“It is such an honour simply to be invited to the dinner at the chateau, let alone to be knighted at the same time,” Marikia Enderle said.