Enjoying Maastricht wines and vineyards
You probably immediately think of southern France when you think of vast vineyards. But did you know that Maastricht and its surroundings have countless wineries and vineyards? Yes, really! The city also owes its eternal holiday feeling to that. Besides looking beautiful and the wines tasting great, the soil on which the vines grow is extra special because of the chalky marl soil. That is the uniqueness of wine from South Limburg. So unique, in fact, that the region may bear the PDO Mergelland geographical seal of approval.
A piece of history
The Dutch wine tradition, which originated in Roman times, gave way to other forms of agricultural activity after the Middle Ages. It was not until 1970 that the first vines returned to the southern slopes of Maastricht's Jekerdal. The region now has plus minus 75 registered wineries from small to large. Besides white wines such as Auxerrois, Riesling and Pinot-Gris, a number of red wines are already being cultivated.
Not only the quantity of vineyards, but also the quality of Dutch wine is on the rise. Dutch wines are scoring higher and higher in inspections at home and abroad. Since 2018, Limburg's Mergelland region has received PDO status from the European Union. You can compare this somewhat to the French Appellation Contrôlée. A quality mark granted to the production, processing and preparation of wines according to a recognised and controlled manner. This assures consumers of high quality wines, as they have to meet stricter requirements.
The Apostle Farm
At 20 hectares, the Apostelhoeve can be called the largest vineyard in the Netherlands. Wijndomein de Apostelhoeve has existed since 1970, making it the oldest winery in the Netherlands. Thanks to its top wines, the farm has a good reputation at home and abroad. A beautiful family business on top of the Louwberg, which immediately offers you an insane view of Château Neercanne, the Sint-Pietersberg (St. Pietersberg hill) (Saint Peter's Mountain) and the Jekerdal. Guided tours, tastings... You can experience it all here.
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Vineyard Apostelhoeve
Vineyard Apostelhoeve
Atop the Louwberg lies the monumental 15th-century Apostelhoeve; the oldest and largest vineyard in the Netherlands! More info on Wijngaard Apostelhoeve
Nekum farmstead
When you look down into the Jekerdal valley from the Apostelhoeve, your eye also immediately catches another wine estate. Hoeve Nekum lies proudly between Kanne (Belgium) and the Sint Pieter / Jekerdal district. Walking past here on a sunny day, you imagine yourself in the South of France. The beautiful water mill that makes the Jeker flow furiously adds to this. You would hardly believe it, but Hoeve Nekum is the second-oldest winemaker in the Netherlands. The farm was first mentioned in a boundary description of the Vroenhof county in 1304, but the typically Limburg castle-like farmhouse was largely built around 1600. Another fun fact: Wijngoed Hoeve Nekum was the proud supplier for the wine at the wedding of Willem-Alexander and Maxima on 2 February 2002. Fancy a royal toast? Then be sure to visit for a tasting or guided tour!
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Hoeve Nekum Maastricht
Hoeve Nekum Maastricht
Authentic square farm where the Bollen family has been growing grapes and producing various wines since 1988. More info on Hoeve Nekum Maastricht
Slavante vineyard
If you climb Sint-Pietersberg (St. Pietersberg hill) (Saint Peter's Mountain) from a completely different angle (from the Maas and ENCI), your hike will soon be rewarded. For on top of the mountain you will find Buitengoed Slavante, a former 19th-century society building, now transformed into a brasserie and party venue. Could it get any better? Sure you can. In fact, it also includes an impressive vineyard of the same name. Book a wine tasting and guided tour and finish your visit with a game of pétanque. You'll be back in the South of France after all!
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Buitengoed Slavante
Buitengoed Slavante
Romantic 1846 location on the slope of Sint-Pietersberg (St. Pietersberg hill) (Saint Peter's Mountain) with stunning views of the Maas and the Meuse valley. More info on Buitengoed Slavante
Thiessen Wijnkoopers
If you spent a day shopping in Maastricht, chances are you walked past it. Because in the heart of Maastricht, you will find Thiessen Wijnkoopers. Not only known as a set in the TV series Flikken Maastricht. The winery is a phenomenon in Maastricht with centuries of history that they will be happy to tell you more about. From the street side, you can't believe the 18th-century building with its ornate façade measures 1200 m2 and you can almost get lost in the authentic vaulted cellars under the shop. What also makes this place so special is the vineyard they keep hidden in the heart of the city centre. Or yes, you as a visitor are of course welcome!
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Thiessen Wijnkoopers
Thiessen Wijnkoopers
Discover the rich wine selection, historic wine cellars, city vineyard and experience special wine tastings and events. More info on Thiessen Wijnkoopers
Wine estate St. Martinus
Near the border triangle in the municipality of Vaals, in the 'mountain village' of Vijlen, you will find Wijndomein St. Martinus. Stan Beurskens was the first winemaker to make red wine in the Netherlands and has an impressive wine cellar spread over four floors. Since 1988, internationally acclaimed wines have been produced here in a unique and sustainable way. Besides tours and tastings, you can also book a wine & food package. Every year in October, you can even help pick grapes.
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Wine estate St. Martinus
Wine estate St. Martinus
At St. Martinus, a passionate team makes a variety of quality wines ranging from white, red, rosé and sparkling. More info on Wine Estate St. Martinus
More Limburg wine estates
Overlooking the village of Waterval in the triangle Ulestraten - Schimmert - Meerssen is Domein De Wijngaardsberg. According to history, wine was grown on this spot for centuries by Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Reims, France. It is at once the oldest evidence of viticulture in the Netherlands (year 968). Other wine estates in Limburg to discover: Domein Holset (Lemiers), Landgoed Overst (Voerendaal), Wijngoed Fromberg (Ubachsberg), Raar Saint Remi (Meerssen) and Wijnkasteel Genoels-Elderen (Riemst, Belgian Limburg).
