HOFKELLEREI
LIECHTENSTEIN
Wine Cellars of the Prince of Liechtenstein
The country of Liechtenstein is the fourth smallest country in Europe
and one of the last where a royal prince is the head of government.
Completely landlocked, whose inhabitants have to cross two countries
to reach the sea, and nearly equidistant between Paris, Vienna, Hamburg
and Rome, separated from Switzerland by the Rhine River and from Austria
by steep mountain massif, makes this a destination unique in the world.
The reigning prince of Liechtenstein, Hans-Adam II, lives in the historic
castle which sits on the hillside over-looking the capital of Vaduz.
The castle cannot be visited, but one might spot the prince or his
son out and about, perhaps at the winery and restaurant which have
been in Princely hands since Prince Johann Adam of Liechtenstein first
acquired the county of Vaduz in 1712.
Today the
Domain of the Prince and the Herawingert vineyards at the edge of
the capital
city of Vaduz, are the center of wine growing in
the principality. The warm southerly Föhn winds which blow down
the mountain slopes and the mild climate make the little country an
exceptional wine growing appellation. With ten acres of grapes in the
heart of the wine growing region of what’s called the “Baby
Rhineland” the Vaduz Domain is one of the best wine terroirs
along the great river, cultivating Pinot Noir, known locally as the
Blauburgunder or Blue Burgundy and Chardonnay grapes, making the wines
of Vaduz rare and unique delicacies of class and refinement befitting
a royal heritage.
Throughout
the year, the Prince’s winery, officially the Hofkellerei
des Fürsten von Liechtenstein is open for wine tasting Monday
through Saturday, where all the wines produced on the Vaduz Domain
as well as those of the Wilfersdorf Domain higher in the hills can
be sampled in the inviting wine tavern. The wine tasting is free and
branded glasses can be purchased. You are likely only able to find
the wines produced with the label of the Prince of Liechtenstein’s
Hofkellerei label by visiting the winery as they are not exported beyond
Switzerland or Germany and found in exclusive restaurants or specialized
retailers, so for a wine cellar to truly impress your wine snob friends,
visit the little country to take home a bottle or even have them ship
a case. They can send one as a gift, as well. They also sell a selection
of wines from other regions, from France to California in the cellars.
The
vineyards can be explored along the Vineyard Path marked by informative
plaques covering the stages of wine making from vine to wine. Wine
tasting courses are offered at the winery with advance booking. In
April the Wine Gustation ceremonies are held with great pomp, tasting
the new wine from the last harvest. In autumn, as a tradition of the
grape harvesting season, grape pickers of local Liechtenstein
residents
take great pride in hand picking the year's harvest over a few days,
then once the work is done, sitting down to a meal together and drinking
the wines from earlier harvests.
Restarurant Torkel
Though
catered events can be held at the Hofkellerie, no food is served
at the winery itself,
but the restaurant owned by the prince, the Restaurant
Torkel, is located in the center of the Vaduz Domain vineyards,
just off the main road from Vaduz. Enjoy a lunch on the sunny terrace
surrounded by the grape vines or a diner indoors, with
the great ancient wooden wine press in center of the restaurant lending
a special ambiance to enjoy the wines and local specialties from the
kitchen. The prince or his family occasionally entertain business guests
at his restaurant, so keep out an eye for royal celebrity spotting.
The nearest train station is Buchs on the Switzerland side of the river with bus service to Vaduz (the Liechtenstein bus is included with a Swiss Pass or Eurail Rail Pass). If you don't have a car, the winery and restaurant can be easily visited by Liechtenstein bus from the center of Vaduz, or stay at the atmospheric and cozy Gasthof Löwen inn hotel across the road from the vineyard or the elegant Relais & Chateaux Park Hotel Sonnenhof just up the hill. © Bargain Travel Europe
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Hofkellerei
Liechtenstein
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SEE ALSO:
LIECHTENSTEIN POSTAL STAMP MUSEUM
SCHAEDLER
CERAMICS FACTORY TOUR
LIECHTENSTEIN SKI
AND WINTERSPORT MUSEUM
