Schloss Vollrads facts for kids

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Schloss Vollrads in Rheingau

Keep or Tower house, early 14th century, bay window of 1620

Schloss Vollrads is a famous castle and a wine estate in the Rheingau wine region of Germany. This special place has been making wine for more than 800 years! It is known for its beautiful castle and its long history of growing grapes.

History of Schloss Vollrads

The land where Schloss Vollrads stands has been used for growing grapevines since Roman times. The estate is named after the Lords of Winkel, a noble family. "Vollradus" was a common name for knights in that family. Records show a "Vollradus in Winkela" in 1218.

The Castle's Early Days

The main building of the estate is a strong tower house. It is like a water castle, surrounded by a square pond. You can only reach the tower by crossing a bridge. This tower was built in the early 1300s by the Greiffenclau family. They inherited the land from the Lords of Winkel.

In 1471, an eight-sided tower was added next to the main tower. A bay window was put on in 1620. Above the main door, you can still see the coat of arms of the Greiffenclau family.

Building the Manor House

In 1684, a large two-winged manor house was built near the tower. This was done by Georg Phillip Greiffenclau von Vollrads. Around 1700, his son, Johann Erwein, built more estate buildings. He also added walls around the manor garden. He even gave the old tower a new, fancy Baroque roof.

Changes in the 20th Century

Between 1907 and 1908, Countess Clara Matuschka-Greiffenclau made some changes. She added a third floor to the southern part of the mansion. She also put two towers with onion domes on top. Terraces and bay windows were made larger at the main tower.

In 1975, Erwein Graf Matuschka-Greiffenclau took over the property. He was important in making high-quality dry Rheingau wines popular again. Later, the estate faced financial challenges. Since 1997, the Nassauische Sparkasse bank has owned the estate. They manage the manor house, the vineyards, and a restaurant.

Schloss Vollrads is a member of the Verband Deutscher Prädikats- und Qualitätsweingüter. This is a group of top German wineries.

Visiting the Castle

Most of the time, the manor house itself is not open to everyone. You can usually only go inside for special events. In the summer, there are often live music concerts. These are part of the Rheingau Musik Festival. During the grape harvest season, a public bar opens in the main courtyard.

The Vineyards of Schloss Vollrads

Schloss Vollrads is a very old vineyard site in the Rheingau region. It has been documented since the Middle Ages. The estate is located within a larger wine area called Honigberg. It sits between the towns of Johannisberg, Winkel, Mittelheim, and Erbach. The estate proudly says it is the oldest winery in Germany.

Special Vineyard Status

Schloss Vollrads is so famous that it is a special vineyard area, or Einzellage, all on its own. This means that, unlike most wines, it does not need to show a village name on its label. So, the wines are simply called "Schloss Vollrads Riesling". This name tells you the vineyard, the producer, and the type of grape.

The Riesling Grape

The only type of grape grown at Schloss Vollrads is the Riesling grape. This winery makes many different kinds of Riesling wines. These include Prädikat wines like Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, and even Eiswein. Schloss Vollrads also makes dry wines called Erstes Gewächs.

The land at Vollrads is very special for Riesling wines. The unique soil and climate, known as "terroir", give the wines a clear and special taste. This taste truly shows where the wine comes from.

Visitors and Events

Schloss Vollrads welcomes visitors to explore its wine world. You can take guided tours and try some of their wines. There is also a wine bar and a shop. The estate often hosts special events. It is a regular place for concerts during the Rheingau Musik Festival.