DESTINATION IDEAS
   England
   Germany
   Italy
   France
   Austria
   Belgium
   Croatia
   Ireland
   Wales
   Switzerland
   Castles
   Museums
   Cathedrals
   War History
   Family Travel
   Wine & Food
   Motorsports
   Romantic Hotels

Liechtenstein Vaduz

VADUZ
HOTEL DEALS

BARGAIN SEARCH
HOTELS
AIRFARES
AUTO & RAIL


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SWISS


HOFKELLEREI LIECHTENSTEIN
Wine Cellars of the Prince of Liechtenstein

Wine Vineyards of Liechtenstein CastlephotoThe 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.

Entrance to Vineyards of Hofkellerei Liechtenstein photoToday 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.

Glasses and Labels of Wine Tasting Room photoThroughout 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.

Wine Cellar Barrels photoThe 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

Restaurant Torkel Wine Press Vaduz photoThough 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

Find best hotel and vacation deals in Vaduz on TripAdvisor

Web Info
Hofkellerei Liechtenstein

These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.

SEE ALSO:

KUNSTMUSEUM LIECHTENSTEIN

LIECHTENSTEIN POSTAL STAMP MUSEUM

SCHAEDLER CERAMICS FACTORY TOUR

LIECHTENSTEIN SKI AND WINTERSPORT MUSEUM

CASTLE SARGANS