There is written evidence of Emperor Otto III’s gift of vineyards to Memleben Abbey in 998: a document that laid the foundation for winegrowing along the Saale and Unstrut. From that time onwards history took its course; the long winegrowing tradition can still be seen in many places today.

The Saale-Unstrut winegrowing region covers some 760 hectares and is characterised by centuries-old dry stone walls, impressive terraced vineyards and romantic vineyard huts. The region is situated on the 51st degree of latitude, and is regarded as the northernmost designated quality wine region in Europe, extending over the three federal states of Saxony-Anhalt (639 hectares), Thuringia (108 hectares) and Brandenburg (8.4 hectares).

The shell limestone and variegated sandstone soils, 1600 hours of sunshine and 500 millilitres of rainfall a year provide the grapes with the optimal growing conditions. It is probably precisely these geological, geographical and climatic...

Here in the river landscapes around the Saale and Unstrut, the focus is very much on the enjoyment of wine and historical traditions. Castles, towns, cathedrals and abbeys bear witness to the former splendour of days gone by, and create impressive backdrops to an interesting and vibrantregion. The High Middle Ages haveleft theirtraces, and these can still be felt to this day. The landscape has been cultivated for centuries, resulting in both intact and developed natural scenery alongsidehistoric buildings, vineyard terraces and waterways. This is a place to live in, enjoy and discover. The people here seem almost to have been born with a feel for what is good and attractive. We foster a great history, winegrowing and an exceptional hospitality that can only be found between theSaale and Unstrut. For us, enjoying the good things of life has a meaning, tradition and quality that go back to the High Middle Ages, and every day we do all we can to ensure that it remains this way too.