Oberemmeler Hütte

On Guard

The name Hütte comes from “hat” (Hut in German), an old term for herding cattle. The poor people drove their cattle over this hill in the oak forest for feeding. Wine has been grown here for several centuries.

On the Prussian tax map from 1868, the area where the current Hütte is located was classified in the same dark-red category as the Scharzhofberg.

The vineyard is, for the most part, relatively steep at 40 to 60 percent and lies from 250 to 320 meters above sea level. Because of the high elevation, Hütte is exposed to the wind. The 5-ha vineyard has a south- to southeast-facing slope. The soil is a heavily weathered gray slate. Only Riesling grows here and gives wines of timeless vitality. Weingut von Hövel has sole ownership of this site.

Honorary Wine for Napoleon

In 1804, Emmerich Grach, the former owner of today’s von Hövel estate, gave Napoleon in a golden chalice an honorary wine from Oberemmeler Hütte. This gilded and engraved cup from his family property in Berlin is exhibited in the City Museum Simeonstift in Trier.

As a child, Grach attended a boarding school in Lorraine. So he spoke fluent French, which was a rarity at the time. Since the mayor of Trier was already very frail, Grach took over the task of giving the honorary wine, a short speech, and the key to the city as the third city councilor.

Napoleon tasted the wine and returned the chalice to Grach with the words: Oui Lord Maire, ils ont un très bon vin. (Yes, Mr. Mayor, you really have an excellent wine.)