State wineries Eberbach Monastery

Kloster Eberbach State Wineries: Tradition and Quality in the Rheingau

The Hessian State Wineries of Eberbach Abbey, situated in the heart of the Rheingau, are among the most significant and time-honoured wineries in Germany. The abbey was founded in 1136 as a daughter monastery of the French mother house at Clairvaux . The Cistercian monks recognised the potential of the mild climate and the soils early on and made viticulture the economic cornerstone of their operations . By the 15th century, the vineyard was already the largest in the German-speaking world. At that time, sales of the monastery’s wine extended as far as Scandinavia and Russia.

Secularisation in 1803 brought an end to monastic life, but not to the tradition of winegrowing. The estate passed into the ownership of the Duke of Nassau, later to the Prussians and finally, in 1945, to the State of Hesse. Today, the extensive vineyards, which stretch from Assmannshausen in the Rheingau to Heppenheim on the Hessian Bergstraße, are managed by around 65 dedicated staff .

The winery boasts some of Germany’s most prized vineyards. The most famous vineyard is the Steinberg, a 32-hectare exclusive vineyard surrounded by a historic stone wall, which creates an almost Mediterranean microclimate . In total, the estate cultivates just under 230 hectares of vineyards. With a share of 74 per cent, Riesling is the dominant grape variety, followed by Burgundy varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. The wines are vinified, amongst other places, in the modern Steinbergkeller, where the focus is on gentle processing and the use of natural gravity .

Eberbach Abbey is not only a top-class winery but also a European centre for wine, fine dining and culture . The Romanesque-Gothic abbey complex is a significant cultural monument. The winery is a founding member of the Association of German Prädikat Wineries (VDP) and, with wines dating back as far as 1706, possesses one of the most valuable collections of German wines. Under the new management, the focus will remain on the highest quality from the top vineyards, in order to continue the unique blend of history and modern wine culture .