The oldest wineries in the world

Oenology is the science that studies the art of making wine. This has been a long-standing element in the history of mankind. Since time immemorial, men have tended to taste wine to accompany their most illustrious and happy moments

Now, for there to be wine, the existence of wine cellars is fundamental and these are just as important as the good wines, because that is where they are born. There is also an enormous tradition in terms of the construction of these underground enclosures to produce wine

In this article, you have a date with the history of wine, because we will give you a historical tour through the oldest wine cellars in the world

History of wine

The earliest evidence of wine production dates back to the Neolithic period of history. This has been corroborated by archaeological finds that confirm this, making viticulture one of the oldest customs practised by mankind.

The consumption of wine began to spread throughout the world largely due to its use in the celebration of masses. Thus, wine became popular and has always held a place of importance among members of high society

We have all been known to enjoy a good wine, as the best accompaniment to any kind of feast or celebration. Nowadays, there are many who take their passion for wine even further, not only consuming it but also making it themselves in their own cellars

The wine cellars

The figure of the wine cellar has come to have the same importance as the wine itself, since it is the preferred place for its production. In essence, a cellar is an underground construction built for the purpose of making and storing wine

They usually have large tanks where the wine is kept and aged for later consumption. Every detail inside them is very well cared for, since every aspect, whether it is ventilation or temperature, etc., will be decisive for the final result of the product

In addition, wineries are usually fascinating pieces of architecture and very pleasant tourist destinations to visit. Undoubtedly, many of them are a work of art inside and out, making winemaking a fascinating world.

Here are some of the world’s longest-established wineries

Chateau Mont Redon

Located in the southern Rhône Valley in France, it has approximately 186 hectares of land. Its origins date back to Roman times. Its tradition dates back centuries and over the years, the family is often striving to improve its performance

Its areas belonged to the pontiff Joseph Ignace d’Astier. Over time, more and more plots of land have been added to the estate. Without a doubt, it is a winery that produces a delicious wine with a very long tradition in Europe and the world

Schloss Johannisberg

Located in the village Johannisberg, Germany, in the Rheingau wine region. This ancient and famous castle has a winemaking tradition that goes back 900 years into the past

Interestingly, this winery is known to have claimed the discovery of the late harvest wine. Thus, they claim to have pioneered the practice of ageing grapes for wine production

Although Germany is not one of the most traditional wine producing countries. This winery is one of the oldest and most traditional in the matter, being recognised worldwide by wine connoisseurs

Marchese Antinori Castle

Located in Italy, more specifically, in the region of Tuscany. This family is known for being one of the most traditional winemaking families in the world. In this beautiful castle-like building, some of the most sought-after wines in Italy are produced

Itis estimated that wine has been made here for more than 600 years. Today, the tradition has been passed down through 26 generations of this family. They also own other wineries located in the Tuscany region and also in Umbria

Fonjallaz

This winery is located in Switzerland, where it is estimated that since the Middle Ages, it was the Cistercian monks who started the activity. It has a winemaking tradition that has passed through 13 different generations

Stone walls, beautiful buildings and high terraces have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Patrick Fonjallaz is the current owner of the land

Rustenberg

South Africa is certainly not one of the locations most associated with wine these days, yet it boasts one of the oldest wineries and some of the highest rated wines in the world

Located in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, this winery is also a major tourist attraction for visitors to the African country. In 1941 it was acquired by the Barlow family. Its production potential is constantly increasing

The most famous of its wines are Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon

Codorníu

Based in Spain, this house has been in the wine business for over 450 years, making it one of the oldest in the country. It is also a major tourist attraction for its visitors, and the venue for many events

Its founder was Jaime Codorníu in later association with the Raventós family. They are also one of the largest producers of cava in the world. It is very famous and even King Juan Carlos himself named it a historical monument of national interest.

Madero House

The first and only wine house on the list is located on the American continent. Specifically, in Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila, Mexico. They make one of the best valued and most sought after wines in Mexico

It is the oldest winery in America, so, they were the creators of the first American wines. They are the most awarded winery in Mexico, with more than 1,000 medals to their credit

It is also a renowned tourist site, highly rated with excellent references from its visitors

Staffelter Hof

The tour takes us back to Germany, but now to the modest town of Krov. It also serves as a guesthouse and distillery

Its origins date back to the year 862, making it one of the oldest wine cellars in Germany and the world. It was part of a convent in Belgium, which originally served to supply a monastery

It is believed, on the basis of long-standing documentation, that its grounds were donated by a great-grandson of Charlemagne, King Lotarius

Areni 1

Perhaps the most intriguing of the list for many, it is part of a cave complex located in Armenia, where the world’s longest-lived shoe and wine cellar is said to have been found

It was discovered only in 2007, and is without doubt a very interesting place to visit and a tourist and historical attraction for wine lovers. Its discovery also allowed to corroborate the value of wine in religious celebrations

I’m sure there will be many others outside this list, but these are some of the oldest and most important wineries in the world. So, we hope you have enjoyed this interesting tour and have also increased your wine culture and knowledge.