A Roman pruning knife. That’s what started it all. We stand before Weingut Maximin Grünhaus a place steeped in history. The very ground beneath our feet whispers tales of Roman villa rustica. Imagine Roman settlers cultivating vines here centuries ago. Their amphorae once stored the region’s finest wines. Fragments of their pottery still linger beneath the soil.
Weingut Maximin Grünhaus isn’t just a winery it’s a living testament to time. Its history stretches back to the 7th century. King Dagobert I gifted these lands to the Benedictine abbey of Saint Maximin in Trier. A document in the French National Library confirms this. Emperor Otto I later reinforced the gift in 966. The abbey managed the estate for centuries.
The year 1638 marks a turning point. The pressing house was built. The current castle began to take shape. Later Napoleon’s secularization changed everything. Weingut Maximin Grünhaus passed into secular hands. In 1810 Friedrich Freiherr von Handel became its first secular owner.
Carl Ferdinand Freiherr von Stumm-Halberg bought Weingut Maximin Grünhaus in 1882. He modernized it significantly. A turbine powered lights and machines. Small locomotives traversed the vineyards. Even a cable car transported equipment. This was a technological marvel for its time.
Von Stumm-Halberg’s daughter Ida inherited the estate. She married Conrad von Schubert a lieutenant general. The von Schubert family has managed Weingut Maximin Grünhaus ever since. Today Maximin von Schubert represents the sixth generation. He continues the family legacy.
The estate boasts three distinct vineyards: Abtsberg Herrenberg and Bruderberg. Abtsberg the most renowned produces incredibly long-lived wines. Herrenberg while initially overshadowed now equals Abtsberg in quality. Bruderberg the smallest yields racy lively Rieslings. Each site offers unique terroir reflecting the history of Weingut Maximin Grünhaus. The wines here tell a story of perseverance innovation and unwavering commitment to quality. They are a testament to the rich history and legacy of this remarkable place. Weingut Maximin Grünhaus. A journey through time. A taste of history.