Domain De Wijngaardsberg

The oldest vineyards in the Netherlands? The Wijngaardsberg in Ulestraten!
The oldest evidence of viticulture in the Netherlands dates back to 968. The Frankish queen Gerberga donated property in this region to the Abbey of Reims, including her vineyards on the Wijngaardsberg.
Benedictine monks come to Meerssen,
found the Provost's Abbey and started working the vineyard. In the Little Ice Age, from 1400 onwards, viticulture becomes difficult. Only the best locations remain, like here.
Until around 1800 the French abolished the Provost's Abbey and the vineyard was cleared. The spindle of the wine press has been preserved and the terraces are still visible in the forest next door.
Since the nineteenth century it has been getting warmer, here is now the climate of Burgundy in the 70s. Warm enough for fine wine.
In 2002 the grape returned. At first modest, half a hectare of Pinot Gris and Auxerrois. That goes well, the wines are widely praised.
In 2008 the vineyard expanded with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, in 2010 spectacular terraces with Pinot Gris, and in 2013 and 2019 the vineyard continued to grow. The domain is now 3.3 hectares in size.
Domein de Wijngaardsberg is part of theVineyard Walk Meerssen.

Office de tourisme du Sud du Limbourg (Visit Zuid-Limburg)