nine wine culture - Kloster Eberbach

Nine
Centuries of
Wine culture
Dear Wine Enthusiasts,
The former Cistercian abbey Eberbach, located in the
Rheingau, serves as one of the most impressive cultural
monuments of monastery architecture of the European
Middle Ages. The stately walls, representing the major
preserved structures of the abbey, are witness to its
eventful past.
The monastery‘s wealth arose from its winemaking,
thus leading to its greatness, high status and prestige.
With complete consistency and over a period of nine
centuries valuable grape varieties were vinified, aged
and marketed here, making the Eberbach Monastery
unique worldwide.
In the following pages we would like to offer you some
insight into the meaningful history of this “wine monastery” as well as into the business practices of our wine
estate today, two inseparable links in an extraordinary
chain which serves to maintain centuries-old traditions,
innovation, viniculture and a sense of responsibility.
The basilica: a magnificent monument to Cistercian architecture
The German Wine Institute has bestowed
Dieter Greiner
upon the Eberbach Monastery the honor of
Managing Director, Hessische Staatsweingüter GmbH Kloster Eberbach
”High Point of Viniculture“.
The Eberbach Monastery Wine Estate
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Hessische Staatsweingüter GmbH Kloster Eberbach
The Hospitalkeller in the
Eberbach Monastery‘s
hospital building is one of
the obligatory structures in
every Cistercian monastery.
Its use as a wine cellar in later
years can clearly be identified
because of the wine cellar
fungus which spans the walls
and ceiling like a black cloth.
Monastery & Wine Estate
A Legacy
Experienced
By All
Senses
Wine Cultivation & Vinification
Roots
Sprouts
&
Transformation
Quality Philosophy
A Triad
of
Sustainability
A Legacy
Experienced
By All
Senses
Monastery & Wine Estate
Today we look back on nine centuries of
winemaking which, because of its traditionally
unfailing pursuit of quality, has made wine
history throughout the ages.
Join us on our voyage through time ...
The Hospitalkeller in the radiance of candlelight
In this mystical atmosphere visitors can enjoy choice
quality wines.
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1136: The wine estate of the Cistercians in the Eberbach Monastery
Nine hundred years
of wine culture
VINIFIED TREASURES
Almost 900 years ago the first “daughter mon-
The monastery‘s economic empire consisted
With the establishment
astery” of the mother monastery Clairvaux to
of more than 200 outposts stretching from
of the “Cabinetkeller” al­
be located on the right-hand side of the Rhine was
founded here in the Rheingau on barren soil.
Worms to Cologne. Already in the 15th century its
ready in the 18th cen-
wine estate was the largest on German-speaking soil.
tury valuable wines were
Depending upon the year, the profits from the wine
produced and can still be
The basic principle of all Cistercian monasteries was
business provided up to three-quarters of the monas-
found today in the monas-
self-sustenance in agriculture, stock farming and, if
tery‘s entire revenue. This powerful economic sector
tery‘s treasure cham­
ber,
possible, winemaking. Already 30 years after its found-
provided for the Eberbach Monastery a unique devel-
which houses the most
ing, the Eberbach Monastery had in its possession
opment which allowed it to exert a significant impact
valuable collection of Ger-
nine farms, two wine cellars and one estate in the city
upon viniculture in the Rheingau as well as upon that
man wines in the entire
of Cologne. Twelve additional farms came into their
of the entire German-speaking area.
world.
The Cabinet Wine Cellar (Cabinetkeller)
possession by the year 1211.
in the Eberbach Monastery
1136
1730
1753
Establishment of the monastery
Establishment of the “Cabinet-
Grapes having “noble rot”
by St. Bernhard
keller” for valuable wines
The advantages of these late-harvest
Arrival of the first thirteen monks
Origin of the term “Kabinett” on sub-
botrytized grapes are noted in the
from Clairvaux (Burgundy).
sequent wine labels.
cellar book and registered with honors.
12th – 13th centuries
13th – 16th centuries
17th century
18th century
The Eberbach Monastery develops into
Enormous expansion of the wine estate
Looting during the
Construction of a wall around the
the most important Cistercian economic
The wine estate becomes the largest on Ger-
Thirty Years‘ War
entire Steinberg
complex of the German Middle Ages
man soil and cultivates land in the Rheingau
The monks flee from
In order to protect the grapes from thieves
Wine becomes the top-ranking commodity and
and Rheinhessen as well as on the Nahe River,
Swedish occupation
this wall was constructed around the
therefore the economic basis of the monastery.
on the Mittelrhein and on the Bergstrasse.
troops for three years.
largest solely-owned vineyard in the world.
1803: Wine Estate of the Dukes of Nassau-Usingen
“Tradition means not preserving the ashes but rather
In 1803 the Eberbach Monastery was impacted
All secular successors to the Eberbach Monas-
by the secularization. The last monks left the
tery followed in the footsteps of the Eberbach
monastery at the same time that the administrators
monks. They remained committed to the grand tradi-
of the new owner, Prince Friedrich August von Nassau-
tion that had developed throughout the previous seven
Usingen, were crossing through the rooms in order to
hundred years. Therefore, they established important
evaluate items to be sold. Although the spiritual life of
criteria through the use of role models. These included
the monastery now came to an end, the cultivation of
new methodologies in creating nature-oriented vinicul-
the wine business continued. The basic inventory of the
ture, cautious production methods, advanced market­
vineyards even increased. Soon the Duke of Nassau es-
ing and an increase in the establishment of trend-
tablished wines from his Cabinetkeller as a permanent
setting sales channels as already evident in 1806 with
feature on the dining tables of European royal houses.
the introduction of wine auctions, thus exemplifying
Wine Treasury in the Eberbach Monastery
innovative groundwork.
Historical Wine Bottles
1866
1803
1806
September 19th
Introduction of wine auctions
Establishment of the Wine Treasury
Establishment of the
Dissolution of the abbey
In order to develop new sales channels
“Herzoglich Nassauischer Cabinetskeller”
most important Royal
and establishment of a
the Duke of Nassau for the first time
The existing bottled wine inventory dates
Prussian Viticultural
royal wine estate.
allows wines to be sold at auction.
back to the year 1706.
Domain Administration
19th century
20th century
Secularization
The most valuable vineyards among all German wine estates
Rauenthaler Baiken
Religious princedoms and monasteries are di-
No other winery has such command over areas under vines
One of the most valuable vineyard sites in Germany. In the year
vested of their worldly power and their posses-
within the vineyard sites of the highest category, as shown on the
1900 the Prussians purchased a large property in the Rauenthaler
sions. The Eberbach Monastery is transferred
oldest vineyard site map of the world from 1867. It is uncon­tested
Berg for 1.2 million Goldmarks (ca. 7.5 million Euros). This property
over to Friedrich August von Nassau-Usingen.
that these vineyard sites are the most valuable in Germany.
contained the best parcels of land in the Baiken vineyard site.
1866: The Royal Prussian Viticultural Domain
The Most Modern Red Wine Cellar
of its Time
keeping the flame burning.”
The intellectual Jean Jaurès
After the Nassau Dukedom, fighting on the side
broke up large rocks, filled in parcels of land and
The model of our operation – the Domain Assmanns-
of Austria, had lost the German War of 1866 it
built vineyard walls. These improvements essen-
hausen, located at the foot of the Höllenberg – was es-
tially characterize the landscape of these important
tablished by the Prussians in 1924. Thanks to the intense
was annexed to Prussia. The former Cistercian Eberbach Monastery became the Royal Prussian Viticultural
vineyard sites to this day.
Domain Administration.
selection work carried out by the Prussian domain, the
cultivation of the heavily endangered Spätburgunder
The Prussian director of the winery, as one of the found-
(Pinot Noir) could be pursued. The domain‘s wine cellar
Large investments and a continuing spirit of innovation
ers of the “Verband der Prädikatsweingüter” (Associa-
was solely dedicated to the production of red wines. Its
enriched the wine business through the acquisition of
tion of German Premium Wine Producers & Wineries),
principles continue to serve as a model to this day.
valuable vineyard sites (including the world-famous
then known as the “Verband der Naturweinversteig­
Baiken) and the use of future-oriented cultivation meth-
erer“, contributed greatly in the early 20th century by
The Domain Assmannshausen serves as one of the most
ods. In order to improve the soil the domain‘s managers
putting a seal on an enduring quality promise for pro­
prestigious and valuable properties in the Rheingau.
viding exquisite wine pleasure.
1910
1924
1928
1945
Co-foundership of the
Establishment of the Pinot Noir
Establishment of the Domain Rauenthal,
The monastery becomes the
“Verband der Naturweinversteigerer”
Cellar in Assmannshausen
located centrally in the Rauenthaler Berg
property of the State of Hesse
today known as the “Verband der Prädikatsweingüter“ (VDP)
The most modern red wine cellar
Trend-setting reorganization and
Administrative activities carried
(Association of German Premium Wine Producers & Wineries).
of its time.
development of cultivation practices.
out by the Hessian State Wineries.
Domain Assmannshausen – the Pinot Noir Winery with Tradition
Domain Bergstrasse – the winery located in Germany‘s garden of springtime
The Eberbach Monastery‘s red wine tradition dates back to the founding years
Just as the Domain wineries of the Rheingau are connected through bonds of history
of the former Cistercian abbey when in the 12th century the monks brought
to the Eberbach Monastery, so too is the Domain on the Bergstrasse. The domain
the Burgundy vines with them from their home to the Rheingau for cultivation.
was founded in its present form in 1904 by the Grand Duke of Hessen-Darmstadt and
set the momentum for developing the local wine cultivation.
since 1945: Wine Estate of the State of Hesse
Cultural Heritage: The Monastery
of the best-maintained
800 meters from the monastery‘s gates lies the famous
medieval monastery complexes
Steinberg vineyard. Today one also finds here the “Ca-
in Europe
thedral for the Riesling Grape“ (Frankfurter Allgemeine
•One
•Over
300,000 visitors annually
•
Gastronomy,
•
the Rose” in the Basilica
Zeitung), the Steinberg Wine Cellar.
Entrance to the Steinberg Wine Cellar
hotel and conference venue
located within historic walls
The sophisticated wine cellar, which is expressive in its
Main venue for the Rheingau Music Festival
functionality and architectural design, was constructed
•Film
Screening of “The Name of
Tradition MEETS MODERNISM:
The Wine Estate
location of well-known films such as
with an eye to our sensitive cultural landscape, which
“The Name of the Rose“ with Sean Connery
is greatly shaped by its viniculture. The historic existing
and “Vision – From the Life of Hildegard
buildings along with the newly constructed ones reveal
von Bingen“ (written and directed by Marga-
an enclosed ensemble which is equal to carrying out
rethe von Trotta)
the multifaceted demands of our wine estate.
Work life in the Steinberg Wine Cellar
1946
2003
2008
The Domain Bergstrasse becomes part of
Transition of the wine estate to the name “Hessische Staatsweingüter
Inauguration of the Steinberg Wine Cellar –
the Hessian State Wineries
GmbH Kloster Eberbach” (Hessian State Wine Domains GmbH Eber-
a model of German cellar architecture
The wine estate as seen in the former Rebmutter-
bach Monastery) The wine estate‘s administrative offices are located in the
An alliance of unique tradition, uncompromising
garten, now called Heppenheimer Centgericht.
Eberbach Monastery, thus continuing to be situated at its roots.
quality philosophy and innovation at its best
Stainless steel tanks in the Steinberg Wine Cellar
The end of the 20th century
(1998) Transition of the monastery complex into a
nonprofit foundation under public law
The Eberbach Monastery Foundation and the wine estate
bring alive for its visitors and guests a unique history of
wine and culture.
Roots
Sprouts
&
Transformation
Wine Cultivation & Vinification
Gentle and sustainable winemaking
determines our contact with man and
nature and in this way guarantees
the preservation of this precious resource.
The Steinberg in summer‘s warmth
“Sit nomen domini benedictum et floreat steinberg.”
“Blessed be the Lord and let the Steinberg bloom.”
Here in the Eberbach monks‘ favorite vineyard the tracts of land and the
path system have remained unchanged for over 800 years.
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Wine Cultivation & Vinification
The most valuable vineyards in Germany
The individual vineyard sites
The foundation for the most valuable vineyards in Ger-
Assmannshäuser Höllenberg
many was already laid by the Cistercian monks. The
Rüdesheimer Berg Schlossberg
historical aspiration to produce premium wines was
Rüdesheimer Berg Roseneck
pursued through the purchase of suitable vineyard sites
Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland
Erbacher Marcobrunn
Assmannshäuser Höllenberg with the Domain Assmannshausen at the foot of the mountain
Hattenheimer Engelmannsberg
Steinberg (sole ownership)
Rauenthaler Baiken
in both the Rheingau and on the Hessische Bergstrasse.
The historic quality standard of these wines has been
guaranteed throughout the history of Eberbach by the
wine estate‘s successors. This unparalleled legacy could
Rauenthaler Gehrn
thus be sustained. We continue to be particularly com-
Wiesbadener Neroberg (sole ownership)
mitted to this great responsibility.
Hochheimer Domdechaney
Hochheimer Kirchenstück Approximately one million vines serve as the basis for
Hochheimer Hölle
our wines. The grape varieties consist of Riesling, Pinot
Schönberger Herrnwingert (sole ownership)
Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Bensheimer Kalkgasse
Domain Rauenthal in the middle of the Rauenthaler Baiken
Heppenheimer Centgericht (sole ownership)
Heppenheimer Steinkopf
“We are proud to be able to
maintain and shape the
singularity of our homeland.”
Stefan Seyffardt, Director of Vineyard Management
Heppenheimer Centgericht and the Domain Bergstrasse located in the former ”Hessischen Rebmuttergarten“
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The steepest vineyard
in the Rheingau
At no other location in the Rhein­
gau does the Rhine‘s reflection
warm the soil as strongly as in
Special Vineyards – Special Challenges
the Berg Schlossberg, which
has an 80 % gradient. The slope‘s
The Eberbach Monastery is not only the most valuable
to the cultivation of these labor- and cost-intensive
strong wind patterns produce
wine estate in Germany, it is also the German wine
vineyards. The work on these steep slopes (e. g. our
a dry microclimate causing the
estate having the most steep slopes (70 hectares with
vineyard sites in the Assmannshäuser Höllenberg,
grapes to remain healthy longer.
a gradient of more than 35 %).
Rauenthaler Baiken or Rüdesheimer Berg Schlossberg)
presents us with special challenges. Because of the
On this discerning terroir the
It was recognized early at the Eberbach Monastery
gradient only a limited use of machines is possible.
Riesling grapes develop highly
that special wines grow on the steep slopes in the
The great amount of handwork – above all in the hot
complex, fruity aromas and
Rheingau. This consideration shaped the cultural land-
summer months – is especially difficult, even when
produce wines of the expressive
scape in a special way in the past and still does so
often combined with a breathtaking view.
quality distinction “Großes
Gewächs”.
today. Whereas former vineyard parcels in the area of
the Mittelrhein now lie fallow, the wine estate of the
Our reward for the substantial extra effort is the pro­
Eberbach Monastery has stood fast in its commitment
duction of wines of special quality and unique character.
Men carrying grape containers during
Grape-picking on a steep slope in Rüdesheim
Heppenheimer Steinkopf
grape-picking in the Baiken
A wine cultivation team
in the Rüdesheimer Berg Schlossberg, 1905
Wine Cultivation & Vinification
The Cistercians
Traditionally Innovative – Trend-Setting Impulses
The traditional foundation for wines of historic quality standards requires special care. The best vineyard
sites, nature-oriented viniculture, gentle pressing of the
•Europe-wide
•1390
•
1603 – Reductive wine production in order to maintain the fruit aromas
•
1730 – Establishment of the Cabinetkeller for the production of premium wines
•1753
As a founding member of the “Verband der PrädikatsDevice for steep slope machine work
•
Introduction of the concept of “Original Filling” of wine in bottles, thus offering a
•
1806 – Introduction of the wine auction
guarantee of quality
•
Establishment of wines in the royal houses of Europe
Prussia
The addition of the most valuable vineyards in Rauenthal to the wine estate‘s portfolio
•
weingüter” (VDP) our predecessors here at the wine
•
estate were able to have an impact upon the laying of
•
Significant involvement in the founding of the VDP (Association of German Premium Wine
•
Construction of state-of-the-art wine cellars in Assmannshausen and Eltville
the cornerstone for highest quality standards. The VDP
serves as a seal for exquisite wine pleasure to which we
commit ourselves once again.
Trend-setting basic research, including in viniculture
Producers & Wineries)
The Wine Estate Today
•A
With pride and in exemplary fashion we carry out our
Grape delivery at the Steinberg Wine Cellar
– Spätlese (late harvest wines) produced in the Steinberg from grapes having the “noble rot“
The House of Nassau
grapes and cautious production methods serve as strict
guidelines for our Wine Estate Eberbach Monastery.
marketing by way of the wine-trading city of Cologne, among others
– Marketing of the valuable wines under their vineyard names (in Latin ”Crescentia“)
certified quality management system
•
Innovative methods in vineyard cultivation which combat global warming
•
Harvesting of the first Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese and the first Eiswein (ice wine) in the
Domain Bergstrasse
responsibility to the furthering of the scientific and prac-
•
Implementation of alternative bottle tops in order to avoid cork taste
tical development of wine production and marketing,
•
The construction of exemplary wine cellars at the Steinberg vineyard
thereby benefiting the entire wine industry.
“The Eberbach Monastery
maintains the tradition of
being ambitious and innovative
in a very distinct way.”
Dieter Greiner, Managing Director
Bottling at the Steinberg Wine Cellar
In 2010 the Steinberg Wine Cellar was
(Architecture Award – Wine).
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The Trailblazers
The Cistercians in the Eberbach Monastery
already knew about the processing of the
grape juice using gravity. The Prussians
perfected this method in the cellar of the
The Steinberg Wine Cellar
Domain Assmannshausen. This cellar is still
used today exclusively for the production
The construction of the Steinberg Wine Cellar (“The
During the entire winemaking process the grapes
of Burgundy wines. The Burgundy grapes
most modern wine cellar in Europe”, Stern Magazine,
and juice are gently conveyed solely by gravity down
from the Assmannshausen and Rüdesheim
2008) was able to create – both technologically and
three levels into the 14-meter deep cellar. Leading edge
Berg vineyards are vinified here. All of our red
architecturally – one of the most state-of-the-art win-
technology in the cellar supports our oenologists, cellar-
wines age completely in oak barrels.
eries in all of Europe, thus establishing a connection
masters and wine coopers in the careful development
between unique tradition and innovation at the highest
of these wines with the goal that the quality developed
Like the Steinberg cellar the Assmannshausen
standards.
in the vineyards be uncompromisingly preserved. The
cellar also offers optimal conditions for indi­
bottled wines can then mature in large storage cham-
vidualized aging of our wines. Only in this way
The result: exquisite wines that reflect the character
bers having constant year-round cellar temperatures
can the quality of our vineyards also unfurl
of their origins
and offering ideal conditions for aging.
in the glass.
In the predominantly underground 5,000-square-meter
Expert cellar tours offer visitors and wine lovers a com-
cellar complex we produce particularly high caliber
prehensive look at how we carefully produce quality
wines according to the highest quality standards.
wines in the Steinberg Wine Cellar.
the proud winner of the “Architekturpreis Wein”
Modern cellar technology ...
... and traditional aging in wooden barrels
in the Cabinetkeller
The cellar of Domain Assmannshausen
Harmony
of
Sustainability
Quality Philosophy
The consistent implementation of our basic
principles in everyday working practices
serves as the basis for the fusion of motivation
and sense of responsibility among equals.
A well-balanced system!
Soil cultivation in the Rauenthaler Berg
Through careful cultivation the soil life can be activated
without the use of herbicides.
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Quality Philosophy
A Well-Balanced System
In order to completely measure up to our standards as
Economic and Social Responsibility
a quality leader we have oriented all of our stages of
One hundred full- and part-time employees apply their
All personnel in our winery are committed to our qual-
production toward this goal and we are inspected regu-
skills at our approximately 250-hectare wine estate.
ity demands. ”Cooperation is the key to success.” This
larly by an independent institute (DQS). As a token of its
This includes circa 50 hectares which are cultivated by
statement is found in the introduction to our mission
approval and endorsement we have been certified in
thirty vintners who, as “Winzer von Kloster Eberbach
statement, which we have developed together in order
accordance with the integrated QM-system “ECO-STEP”.
e.V” (Vintners of the Eberbach Monastery), cultivate
to optimize our everyday working environment. This
their vineyards for us on the basis of production con-
“Codex communicandi” consists of thirty values and
This certification, based upon a quality
tracts. Excellent compensation and know-how-trans-
principles which form the basis for constructive co-
management system, is an on-going proc­
fer also secure the livelihood of these winegrowers.
operation and trustworthy teamwork among partners
ess during which our operations are con-
Together we produce and market more than two million
and customers. Our goal, whether it be shaped through
tinually improved and more economically
bottles of wine and sparkling wine per year. Hence, as
communication, leadership or customer satisfaction, is
designed – for the benefit of food safety, health and
the largest wine estate in Germany we represent a
that all employees at our wine estate “speak the same
occupational safety, environmental protection, custom-
significant economic force in the Rheingau and on the
language”, which is the basic requirement for optimal
er service and quality of the wine.
Hessische Bergstrasse.
business processes.
“Every year is different! That‘s
the challenge. For this we
can depend upon our team one
hundred percent.”
Our team of experts in the Steinberg Wine Cellar:
Bernd Kutschick (Winemaker),
Ralf Bengel (Director of Oenology)
Our team of experts in wine cultivation:
Gregor Vollmer (Specialist for Steep Slopes), Volker Hörr (Manager of the Domain Bergstrasse),
Stefan Seyffardt (Director of Vineyard Management), Carsten Pfaff (Viniculturist, Domain Steinberg)
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Environmental Responsibility
Great respect for nature serves as an important basis
of our daily work life. Therefore, the preservation of our
sensitive cultural landscape is important to us. Maintenance of healthy vines, biological pest control and the
refusal to use insecticides are part of our basic understanding of dealing with our natural resources. In this
regard we pay special attention to maintaining a vital
soil life. Every vineyard site sustains its own vegeta-
The Steinberg
tion – even on our steep slopes.
The Steinberg as an Example of Nature-Oriented
We put our hearts into producing
enjoyable wines which serve as a
testimonial to nine centuries of
viniculture. The motto of the Eberbach
Cistercians, taken from Psalm 104,15,
also applies to us today:
Vineyard Management
One of the most noticeable characteristics of the eco­
“Vinum delectat et laetificat
cor hominum”!
system in the Steinberg is that of the so-called “interconnected strips“ that traverse the entire vineyard. In
these green areas, in which numerous useful plants
Soay sheep in the Steinberg
and animals reside, one also finds among the many
hedges songbirds‘ nests, resting places for birds of
Another visible feature of this ecosystem located in
prey and unusual fruit trees such as the sorb tree,
the lower part of the vineyard is the naturally flowing
which was named “Tree of the Year” in 1993. Various
creek, surrounded by four hectares of trees, hedges and
other species of fruit trees can also be seen in the
meadows. Even unusual crayfish live in this stream. As
vineyard itself and nearby.
a form of natural landscape maintenance Soay sheep,
the oldest breed of domesticated sheep, have been
grazing here since 2011.
(“Wine delights and gladdens
people‘s hearts!”)
Your Team from the Kloster Eberbach Wine Estate
Autumn Ambiance
The Steinberg vineyard, Steinberg cellar
and the Eberbach Monastery (upper right)
Impressum
Hessische Staatsweingüter GmbH Kloster Eberbach
Kloster Eberbach, D-65346 Eltville im Rheingau
Responsible: Dieter Greiner, General Manager
Tel.: +49 (0) 6723 6046 -0
Fax: +49 (0) 6723 6046 -420
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.kloster-eberbach.de
Here you will find information concerning the monastery:
Eberbach Monastery Foundation (visits, tours, event location
and meetings), restaurants and hotel in the Eberbach Monastery
Design: artfarm, design + kommunikation