Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Region

Wines

Owner/Winemaker Robert Eymael

Roman Wine Press

Ürziger Würzgarten Vineyard

Mönchhof Estate

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

The history of Mönchhof (the "Monks House or Monks Court") goes back to 1177. Still in the Eymael family's possession is a document signed by Pope Alexander III, which shows the Cloister Himmerod (a Cistercian abbey) as having holdings at Ürzig as early as 1177.

The monks from Himmerod were active as winegrowers in the area and they completed the present estate building and underground cellars before 1509. They continued their work at the Mönchhof until 1804, when the estate was purchased by the Eymael family. For over 200 years they have carried on the winemaking tradition of the monks.

The estate's prime holdings are in the vineyards of the Ürziger Würzgarten, Erdener Treppchen, and Erdener Prälat.

The Eymael family has much history. His great-grandmother Franziska Astor's family included Joh. Jacob Astor, whose grandson started the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City.

A founding member of Der Grosse Ring, the estate has won numerous awards, including the prestigious State Honor Prize, awarded in 1971. Even as early as 1893, this estate won medals at the Chicago World's Fair. The estate also provides the location for the German television series "Moselbrück." In the tasting room of the 500 year old manor house Robert Eymael Jr. offers the great selections from the great single vineyards of the area, as well as his very popular basic Riesling.