Vereinigte Hospitien wine estate

Trier has been a university city since ancient times.

Indeed, during late antiquity the former imperial residence — then known as Augusta Treverorum — was considered “Roma secunda”, or “second Rome”.

The city’s traces from that proud era go beyond the Kaiserthermen spas and famous Porta Nigra.

It is also home to what is probably the oldest wine cellar in Germany, from roughly 300 BC.

Constructed in the vicinity of the Roman port, it was used by the Romans primarily as a storeroom.

It still retains some original walls, which rise as high as eight metres, and a brick floor in the entry area. The monumental groined vault was added later.

Today it is possible to breathe in 1700 years of history between those distinguished walls, all to a glass of Riesling and candlelight.

The Vereinigte Hospitien, which owns the cellar, has opened this unique location to visitors.

The foundation’s winegrowing estate, founded in 1804 by Napoleon Bonaparte, is counted among the leading quality wine estates on the Mosel.

Its vineyard holdings include some of the finest sites on the Middle Mosel and Saar. Curated wine tastings and cellar tours in the oldest cellars of Germany are also available by prior arrangement.