Genoels-Elderen Wine Castle

Riemst, Belgium, Belgium

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The Genoels-Elderen Wine Castle (Wijnkasteel Genoels-Elderen) in Genoelselderen, a village of the municipality of Riemst in Belgian Limburg, is the oldest, largest and most versatile wine estate in Belgium, now covering about 22 hectares of vineyards on the slopes around the village.

The estate is centred on a strong classical-style castle building that stands beside part of the old Roman road between Tongeren and Cologne, and the site’s wine history goes back to at least the 13th century, with first mentions of a castle and wine activity in 1265 when it was built by Godenoel van Elderen.

After being destroyed by fire in 1407 and later rebuilt, the castle remained in the noble Van Elderen family until 1718, most notably under Johan Lodewijk van Elderen, who became Prince-Bishop of Liège in the 17th century, and the property today preserves 13th-century wine cellars alongside modern winemaking facilities.