On a wine trip in Maastricht: five (hidden) pearls

Maastricht, the city where (commercial) Dutch winemaking first saw the light of day in the 1970s, is anno 2024 not only a perfect base for wine trips through the rest of Limburg; it also offers plenty of (hidden) spots for wine lovers themselves. We take you to some of these spots during a weekday wine trip in the Limburg capital.

House wine at Vaeshartelt | In the winery with Maurice and Guy | Italian wines at Vino&Friends | Wake up like a king(s) in France | Wines of the Jeker Valley: Hoeve Nekum | Wines at Bar1717 |

House wine at Vaeshartelt

House wine at Vaeshartelt

Just outside Maastricht is Vaeshartelt. Although you can have a lovely stay there, we are there this trip for another purpose. For several years, Buitenplaats Vaeshartelt has had a 400-vineyard vineyard on the estate, part of the site's sustainability initiative. A small edition of sparkling house wine has been made from the grapes growing here since 2023. The first edition of this wine won't be presented until November, but that doesn't take away from the fact that - after a stroll through the orchard - there are plenty of fine wines and matching delicacies - such as the oyster zambitterballs made from its own oyster gums - to be enjoyed here.

In the winery with Maurice and Guy

They pick the grapes themselves at Vaeshartelt, while making the wines is outsourced to The Urban Winery in the Maastricht district of Wyck, the next stop on this wine trip. This urban winery is located in Alexander Battalaan. It was taken over from its former owner early this year by Maurice Warnier and Guy Plasqui of Wijndomein Riesenberg in Gronsveld. Looking forward to their first own harvest, the two wine enthusiasts decided it was time to start their own winery.

At The Urban Winery, starting this autumn, they not only make their own wine, but also wines for small-scale vintners in the region. They also vinify foreign purchased grapes for restaurants or businesses. During a tour of the winery, Guy will show you the process of winemaking there. During the tasting at the end, Maurice will further introduce you to the versatility of Limburg wines.

  • The Urban Winery

    Step inside The Urban Winery Maastricht, near central station, and discover our wine craft. Enjoy a guided tour, tasting and learn all about Limburg wines! More info on The Urban Winery

    The Urban Winery

Italian wines at Vino&Friends

For dinner, we opt for Vino&Friends, the Italian gastro and wine bar just a stone's throw from the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. The atmosphere, entourage and language of the staff take you straight to Bella Italia. Host Alex sets the tone with a 600 Italian wines wine bible; each one can be found in 'the church' in the property's basement. Throughout the evening, authentic Italian flavours pass the revue: antipasti to start, two types of homemade pasta, croccante alla mozzarella ('Italian cheese souffle'), tagliata di manzo and a selection of Italian desserts. Each course is accompanied by a beautiful Italian wine; from big names to lesser-known houses and surprising flavours. The bulk of those wines, as well as various Italian delicacies, are for sale in the indoor wine shop.

  • Vino&Friends

    Vino&Friends in Maastricht is an atmospheric Italian restaurant in the historic Stokstraat quarter. Here you will enjoy refined Italian dishes, prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients, and an impressive selection of over 500 carefully chosen wines. More info on Vino&Friends

    Vino&Friends Vino&Friends terrace at the thermal spa

Wake up like a king(s) in France

Spend the night during a wine trip in Maastricht at Château Neercanne, in one of the luxury suites that opened early this year. Here you will not only enjoy a romantic setting and every comfort you could wish for; suite 1 offers 270-degree views of the Jeker valley, the marl caves, the hotel's own vegetable garden and its own small vineyard. The grapes from this and Oostwegel Collection's other vineyards are transformed by Limburg winemaker Stan Beurskens into an exclusive line of house wines under the name 'Heritage' - of which a glass is waiting for you on arrival. After a scrumptious night's sleep, slide into l'Auberge, the restaurant in the chateau's former stables, for a sun-drenched, and meticulously prepared, breakfast. Fully recharged for another day of wine travel in Maastricht.

Wines of the Jeker Valley: Hoeve Nekum

Besides its own small vineyard, we find two more wine estates in the immediate vicinity of Château Neercanne. The Apostelhoeve and Hoeve Nekum are the two oldest wineries in the Netherlands. In the 1970s, Hugo Hulst on top of the mountain was the first in the Netherlands to make wine on a commercial basis. Neighbour Math Bollen planted the first vines in 1988 and has been making red, white and rosé wines ever since. Here, Math gives tours of his seven-hectare wine estate and winery. We end our morning with a tasting of various vintages and grape varieties from the estate's own vineyard.

Wines at Bar1717

After a few hours of shopping - after all, Maastricht is also a real shopping city - we conclude the wine trip at Bar1717, the wine bar of Thiessen Wijnkoopers. Here you can taste (almost) all wines from the collection of the oldest winery in the Netherlands. Although recently you can also drink a wine from its own label there. The mineral pinot gris called Guillaume, named after the winery's founder, was made in collaboration with Domein Holset and has only been on the market since the end of August. The kitchen brigade led by Daan Evers will provide a selection of appetisers.

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