A visit to Henkell Castle
Henkell Freixenet is not only one of the most traditional sparkling wine producers in Germany, but also the inventor of the "Piccolo". Make a note now - May 10 is Sparkling Wine Day!
When Adam Henkell opened his wine shop in Mainz in 1821, he would certainly never have dreamed that the company he founded would one day export to more than 150 countries worldwide. A lover of fine wines, he had first been initiated into the art of champagne production in France and started producing sparkling wine himself in 1856. Grandson Otto achieved the breakthrough on the national and international market with the first branded sparkling wine - Henkell Trocken. Large-scale advertising campaigns were also responsible for this success.
The company expanded so rapidly - there were now 50 cellars in Mainz - that a larger and more prestigious location was needed in 1907. An ultra-modern sparkling wine cellar in the style of the French champagne houses was built in Biebrich under the young architect Paul Bonatz.
Highlights include the impressive marble hall and the wine cellar seven floors below, which you can experience as part of various guided tours.
Guided tours
- Impressions Tour (60 minutes): Ideal for anyone who wants to take a quick look behind the scenes. After a welcome with a glass of sparkling wine, the tour continues to the sparkling wine production facility and the wine cellar at Schloss Henkell.
- Experience Tour (90 minutes): On the Experience Tour, you will get to know Schloss Henkell from the ground up and gain a comprehensive insight into the company and its wide range of products.
- Celebrate Life Tour (120 minutes): The Celebrate Life Tour is a very special experience thanks to the live disgorging.
Incidentally, Henkell registered the term "Piccolo" for its small bottles in 1935. These boomed in the 50s and 60s because many people wanted to afford a little luxury despite their small budget. Piccolo" quickly became the general term for the small bottle of sparkling wine, but only Henkell was allowed to use it as a brand name. Read the whole story here (opens in a new tab)!
May 10 is sparkling wine day!
"Celebrate Life" is the motto of the annual Henkell Freixenet Sparkling Wine Day, which is celebrated in the cour d'honneur of Henkell Castle with live music and, of course, lots of sparkling wine. You can take a look behind the scenes on a tour of the winery, which starts in the Marble Hall and goes seven floors down to where the gigantic barrels are stored.
The celebrations run from 11 am to 7 pm and admission is free.