Wine has been an integral part of human culture for thousands of years. It dates back to ancient civilizations, where wine was integral for rituals, celebrations, and daily life. Up to now, wine is largely associated with social gatherings. But for wines to exist, there should be wineries.
This article takes you to the world’s six oldest wineries, offering a glimpse into wine’s rich history. From the over 1,000-year-old Schloss Johannisberg in Germany to the 16th-century Casa Madero from the other side of the Atlantic, these wineries preserve age-old traditions while adopting the latest innovations, showcasing the unique relationship between wine and humanity.
Goulaine Castle
Goulaine Castle (Château de Goulaine) sits in the Loire Valley in central France. It is one of the oldest estates in France and has been producing wine since around 1000 AD, standing as a testament to French winemaking history. The Goulaine family has owned this Loire Valley estate for most of its existence, except for a brief period during the French Revolution.
The castle produces white wines like Muscadet, Folle Blanche, and Sancerre. Besides being a winery, the Renaissance-style castle itself is a famous cultural landmark.
Visitors can now stay overnight at the castle or even book it for weddings. Here’s a fun fact: the castle’s former chef is said to have created the famous Beurre Blanc sauce.
Ricasoli Estate
The Ricasoli Estate is a winery in the heart of Castello di Brolio in Tuscany, Italy. It began its winemaking journey in 1141, establishing itself as a pioneer in Tuscan viticulture. It is known for being the birthplace of the famous Chianti wine.
Baron Bettino Ricasoli developed the original formula for the Chianti blend in the 1800s. He defined the blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and Malvasia grapes, making up the foundation of the modern Chianti wine.
This family-owned property has weathered many storms, including:
- Italy’s internal conflicts in the 1200s
- The Black Death in the 1300s
- The rise and fall of the Medici family
- World War II
Ricasoli has continued to grow, focusing on innovation while preserving traditional winemaking techniques. The estate spans vineyards that produce Sangiovese grapes, essential ingredients in Chianti wines. Today, wine lovers can enjoy their top-tier “Castello di Brolio” for about $70 a bottle.
Johannisberg Palace
When you think about wines, Germany isn’t usually the country that comes to mind. While it is more famous for beer and the Oktoberfest, there is a significant site to discover Germany’s winemaking history.
Johannisberg Palace (Schloss Johannisberg) is located in the wine-growing Rheingau region of Germany. This castle-slash-winery is known around the world for producing aromatic Riesling wine. It is also notable for its supposed discovery of Spätlese (late harvest) wines—wines made from grapes left on the vine to ripen longer than usual, resulting in richer flavors.
The winery was founded in 1100, so it’s not surprising that it boasts a rich wine history. Records show wine orders from Charlemagne’s time in the late 700s. The estate faced destruction during the German Peasants’ War in 1525 but recovered.
Here are the key facts about Johannisberg Palace:
- It is home to the world’s oldest Riesling vineyards
- It pioneered late-harvest wines in 1775
- It was the first to use noble rot grapes in winemaking
Vollrads Castle
Vollrads Castle (Schloss Vollrads) is another historic German winery situated in the Rheingau region. It has been producing high-quality wines for over 800 years, specializing in Riesling, like the neighboring Schloss Johannisberg. It produces various Riesling wines, ranging from dry to sweet.
Its wine story began in 1211 with a written order from a Mainz monastery. The first mention of wine sales from the winery comes from a 1211 document, which recorded a sale by Vollardus von Greiffenclau, a member of the noble Greiffenclau family.
Vollrads’s long-standing reputation for producing top-quality German wines, and its picturesque estate, are major draws for visitors. Those wanting to visit Vollrads Castle can celebrate the estate’s 800-year wine legacy at their restaurant, enjoying Rieslings paired with German classics like bratwurst.
Codorniu
Codorniu is one of Spain’s oldest existing wineries and the birthplace of the sparkling wine Cava. This family-run winery was founded in 1551 in the Penedes region of Catalonia and began as a “still” wine producer. In the 1820s, they started making sparkling wine, once calling it “champagne.” Now, Codorniu is a top Cava producer globally.
Codorniu is also renowned for its vast underground cellars and holds a historical significance in Spain’s sparkling wine industry. It produces almost five million cases of Cava wines annually. In recent years, Codorniu has focused on innovation and sustainability, implementing organic farming practices and shifting towards more sustainable production methods.
Casa Madero
There is a winery in the Americas that is as old as the many long-standing wineries in Europe. The winery is Casa Madero, established in 1597 by Lorenzo Garcia. It sits in Parras de la Fuente, a small valley in Coahuila, Mexico (near the Texas border). Due to its establishment and long history, Casa Madero holds the title of the oldest winery in the Americas.
Casa Madero began producing wine shortly after Spain’s conquest of Mexico. The estate, originally known as Hacienda de San Lorenzo, was granted by King Philip II of Spain. The valley’s mild climate makes it conducive for growing wine grapes.
It is notable for producing various wines, including red, white, and rosé. It uses European grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Tempranillo to make their wines. Casa Madero represents the deep-rooted winemaking tradition in Mexico and the rest of the New World.
Parting words
These six ancient wine estates showcase the rich history of winemaking across the globe. From the estates in Europe to the oldest winery in the New World, they preserve age-old traditions while continuing to innovate and produce world-class wines.
Their centuries-old histories highlight winemaking’s cultural importance and rich heritage across Europe and the Americas. If you’d like to know more about wines, check out the world’s largest wine-producing regions.