The oldest vineyards in the Netherlands? The Wijngaardsberg in Ulestraten!
The oldest evidence of viticulture in the Netherlands comes from 968. The Frankish queen Gerberga bequeathed property in this region to the Abbey of Reims, including her vineyards on the Wijngaardsberg.
Benedictine monks come to Meerssen, found the Deanery and work on the vineyard. In the Little Ice Age, from 1400, viticulture becomes difficult. Only the best locations remain, like here.
Until the French abolish the Deanery around 1800 and the vineyard is cleared. The spindle of the wine press has been preserved and the terraces are still visible in the woods next door.
Since the nineteenth century it has been getting warmer, here is now the climate of Burgundy in the 70s. Warm enough for nice wine. In 2002 the grape returns. Modest at first, half a hectare of Pinot Gris and Auxerrois. That goes well, the wines are widely praised.
In 2008, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were expanded, in 2010 spectacular terraces with Pinot Gris followed, in 2013 and 2019 the vineyard continued to grow. The domain is now 3.3 hectares in size.
This text has been automatically translated using an online translation service.
