Vollrads Castle

Schloss Vollrads – The cradle of Rheingau Riesling

The Schloss Vollrads vineyard in the Hessian Rheingau is one of the oldest vineyards in the world. The first documented reference to a wine sale by the Greiffenclau family to St Viktor’s Abbey in Mainz dates back to 18 November 1211 – a document considered to be the oldest wine bill in existence. The estate’s name derives from the knight Vollradus von Winkel, who was mentioned in a document in 1218.

The castle itself looks back on an eventful architectural history. At the heart of the complex is a fortified residential tower dating from the 14th century, which is surrounded by a square pond. The octagonal stair tower was added in 1471, and the manor house, which today comprises two wings, was built in 1684. The castle complex, which Johann Wolfgang von Goethe described as ‘whimsical’ during his visit in 1814, was the residence of the von Greiffenclau family until 1330 and is now owned by the Nassauische Sparkasse .

The winery cultivates around 70 hectares of vineyards, 48 hectares of which are classified as the ‘Schloss Vollrads’ monopole . A defining feature of the estate is its exclusive focus on the Riesling grape variety . The south to south-west facing vineyards lie at an altitude of 70 to 158 metres and benefit from a mild climate, favoured by the River Rhine and the Taunus Mountains. The soils consist of Taunus quartzite, clay shale and calcareous loess , which lends the wines a characteristic minerality and herbal spice.

The estate is a member of the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) and is committed to organic farming. The range extends from dry VDP estate wines through semi-dry Kabinett wines to grand cru wines such as the Schlossberg and the Greiffenberg. With its tradition stretching back over 800 years, its unique terroir and its philosophical commitment to producing ‘unique and authentic Riesling wines’, Schloss Vollrads remains a shining example of the fusion of history, craftsmanship and modern quality in the Rheingau.