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HISTORY OF HOFKELLEREI LIECHTENSTEIN

at a glance

The viticulture in the area of ​​today's estate Wilfersdorf goes back to the 14th century.

 In 1136, Hugo von Liechtenstein was the first bearer of this name to be mentioned. He had named himself so after the Liechtenstein Castle, situated south of Vienna. In the centuries to follow, the family was able to expand their holdings considerably by acquisition, primarily in Lower Austria and in the South-Moravian territory. At the end of the 16th century, the three brothers, Karl, Maximilian and Gundakar, initiated a new era in the history of the family. Karl was elevated to the rank of Hereditary Imperial Prince in 1608, while his brothers were raised to the rank of Hereditary Imperial Prince in 1623.

1436

Princely viniculture

Otto IV of Maissau bequeaths the Castle and Estates of Wilfersdorf to Christoph II of Liechtenstein on January 29th, 1436, with the consent of Duke Albrecht V of Austria. Among others, the testament mentions viticultural areas as “accessory” property.

1603

Administrative

Instruction Form

1699

Acquisition of the County of Vaduz

by Prince Hans Adam von Liechtenstein

Prince Hans Adam von Liechtenstein acquired the Fiefdom of Schellenberg in 1699 and the County of Vaduz in 1712. On January 23rd, 1719, Emperor Charles VI unified the County of Vaduz with the Fiefdom of Schellenberg by a certificate and elevated them to an imperial principality named Liechtenstein.

1712

Ratification of the Contract of Purchase

of the Country of Vaduz by Emperor Charles VI

The purchase of the County of Vaduz was ratified by Emperor Charles VI on March 7th, 1712. With the acquisition of the County of Vaduz, also Herawingert passed into the possession of the Princely House. Herawingert is doubtless the most traditional and most famous vineyard in the Principality of Liechtenstein, ranking among the best single-vineyard sites of the Rhine Valley.

1799

"Ideal Map"

of the Estates in Wilfersdorf

The map of the Estates in Wilfersdorf also shows the locations of the vineyards. Until the 18th century, information on the Estates’ own businesses is rather vague and accidental. The revenues of the dominions were first precisely surveyed in 1751. At that time, the Estates of Wilfersdorf owned 61.5 yokes (35.4 ha) of vineyards.

1877

Restructuring Processes

under Prince Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein

The "agrarian reform" of 1848 led to the omission of the so-called "Rustical" and hence to the liquidation of the domains. The property of the Princes of Liechtenstein, which was reduced to the former "Dominical", was combined into estates and reorganized. Consequently, the Wilfersdorf vineyards were recultivated in the 1860s. Until 1880, the autonomously managed areas under vine comprised about 11 yokes (6.3 ha) at the Wilfersdorf and Eibesthal Estates. By the direct takeover of property so far leased out, the portion of vineyards rose to 13 yokes (about 7.5 ha) by 1886. At that time, some 21 yokes (12 ha) of vineyards were autonomously managed by the Feldsberg and Herrnbaumgarten Estates.

The Hofkellerei in the 20th and 21st Century

Until 1945, the majority of the princely Liechtenstein vineyards were concentrated in the areas of Feldsberg (Valtice) in the Czech Republic. After 1945, the facilities in Herrnbaumgarten and Hausbrunn in the Weinviertel, in northeastern Lower Austria, formed the foundation for the reconstruction of the princely winery.

1956

Expansion of the Hofkellerei Vaduz

Expansion and Addition

As early as 1956, the Vaduz began importing and distributing wines from the Hofkellerei in Wilfersdorf. Following the expansion and addition of the Barrique Hall, the Hofkellerei in Vaduz has established itself as an event location with its own regional-fresh cuisine.

The wines, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, have since become internationally sought-after and frequently awarded rarities.

2011 & 2019

Generous renovation of the Hofkellerei Wilfersdorf

Combination of modernity and openness with tradition

After an extensive renovation in 2011, the Hofkellerei Wilfersdorf combines modernity and freshness with centuries-old tradition in perfect harmony, complemented in 2019 by a modern pressing and processing cellar above the vaulted cellars from 1725.

2018

Realignment of the Hofkellerei

Takeover of winery management by Stefan Tscheppe

At the end of 2018, both wineries were completely restructured. Under the direction of Stefan Tscheppe, the style of all wines and the focus of both wineries were revised and elevated to a completely new, origin-oriented level.

2019

Origin-driven stylistic

In collaboration with Stéphane Derenoncourt

Cultivation of the 45-year-old vines of the Hofkellerei in Vaduz with consultation from the renowned team of consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt.

 
 

2019

Transition to organic production

Starting in 2021, all Austrian vineyards are transitioning to organic farming, with those in Vaduz beginning on January 1, 2022.

Additionally, techniques from regenerative and biodynamic farming have been applied in the vineyards since 2019. These changes, especially the activation of soil life, lead to increased vitality and expression in the wines.

 

2020

A venue to enjoy

Hofkellerei im Gartenpalais – Vinothek & Bar

Since 2020, the Hofkellerei im Gartenpalais – Vinothek & Bar in Vienna's 9th district has been offering a new, modern meeting place for wine enthusiasts.

2022

Modernization of Restaurant Torkel

In the 1960s, the restaurant Torkel moved into the former pressing house with the old Torkel tree at the Herawingert in Vaduz. Today, Ivo Berger cooks at Torkel in the second generation.

In 2022, the restaurant, which has been awarded a Michelin star for many years, was sensitively renovated and is the premier culinary destination in the Principality of Liechtenstein.

2024

Member of the Österreichische Traditionsweingüter

We are delighted to have been accepted into the prestigious Association of Austrian Traditional Wine Estates, a great honor and recognition for the quality and origin-based style of our wines, the work of the past years and decades.

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