It should be clear: in Maastricht we love good food and good wine. So it shouldn’t surprise you that the city is full of good restaurants, cafes and culinary events. Most people think of the typical Limburg beer breweries when they think of typical regional drinks, like Knight Beer, Wieckse Witte and Gulpener. Fewer people know that the surroundings of Maastricht provide an excellent climate for wines. The backyards of Maastricht are home to two renowned vineyards, which boast exceptional wines.
Although not widely known the wineyards of Maastricht are nothing new. Centuries ago the grapes were already cultivated in the south of Netherlands. Stories go that Napoleon the second shut down the wineyards to promote the French wine. Another explanation could be that the climate played tricks and forced the winemakers to stop. Fortunately, these wineyards halted until mid last century. As a real wine lover you don’t want to miss these jewels.
In Maastricht you can find two real wine yards: the Apostelhoeve and Hoeve Nekum.
The Apostlhoeve is located in the south of the city and is one of the most famous vineyards of the Netherlands. The winery is known for its Riesling, Muller-Thurgau, Auxerrois and Pinot Gris. The family of this vineyards has already won several awards for their wines.
Nekum is located in the Jekerdal, between the southern border of Maastricht and the Belgian village Kanne. The typical Limburg castle-like spheres farm is owned by the brothers who have built this vineyard late last century. After their neighbour Apostelhoeve this vineyard is the second oldest functioning vineyard of the Netherlands.
Enough reason for the city of Maastricht to organize Chateau Maestricht. A new annual event A culinary spectacle entirely dedicated to this lovely local food and wines. France eat your heart out!
A special event during the Chateau season is the “Preuvenemint” a 4 day during tasting event on the Vrijthof. Organised in the last full weekend of August this is the place to be when it comes to exploring new and popular restaurants. Here you can try the new menu of Michelin star holding restaurant or just eat the best sates in the world made by a Maastricht Indonesian restaurant.
Four days of enjoying life like a real Bourgondier. Eating and drinking on the beautiful Vrijthof. You can pay with “Preuvelappen” Special made notes which you can buy online or at the stands on the square. You can visit the Preuvenemint from the 28th till the 31st of August.
Things to see in Maastricht 