Friedrich-Wilhelm Grammar School

AN EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL AND WINE HISTORY

The ‘Friedrich-Wilhelm Grammar School’ originates from the Jesuit College which was founded in Trier in 1561. The vineyard properties were mostly donations from the Bishops Johann von der Leyen and Erzbischof Jacob zu Eltz (1561 - 81).

When the Jesuit Order was dissolved by Pope Clemens XIV in 1773 this automatically meant the end of the 210 year old Jesuit College. It was continued under the name of ‘Kurfürstliches Gymnasium’ by Prince Elector Clemens Wenzeslaus (1768 - 1794). Under French administration the school continued first as ‘Ecole Secondaire’ and from 1811 on as ‘Collège’.

By imperial decree of Napoleon in 1805, buildings and vineyards had been returned to the school. The French college was continued as ‘Königlich-Preussisches Gymnasium’ and finally renamed ‘Friedrich-Wilhelm-Gymnasium’ in 1896.

Today about 11 hectares of steep slopes on the Middle Mosel are exclusively dedicated to Riesling in Graach, Trittenheim and Bernkastel.

On the river Saar, close to Trier, we find the 13 hectare location ‘Falkensteiner Hof’, where Riesling, Rivaner and, in the past few years, also red grape varieties like Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) are cultivated.