Domein Hof te Dieren

The Netherlands

"Domein Hof te Dieren is the largest walled vineyard in the Netherlands."

A vineyard in Dieren, on a royal estate

In the village of Dieren, only a short distance away from Arnhem, we found this hidden treasure. Domein Hof te Dieren is the largest walled vineyard in the Netherlands and located on a historic country estate which dates back to the 13th century.

In the 17th century Governor (Stadtholder) William II bought the property and built a hunting lodge on the estate that was used frequently by the Dutch royal ‘House of Orange’. Unfortunately the hunting lodge no longer exists. It burned down, was rebuilt and finally destroyed during World War II.

The remaining wall around the former garden is from 1885 and was constructed to create a mesoclimate and offer protection from the wind and frost.

Walled vineyard of Domein Hof te Dieren in Gelderland

From financial consultant to winemaker

We met up with former financial consultant Youp Cretier who, after a burn out, decided to reverse his course dramatically and realize a better vision for his life and become a winemaker.

Dutch winemaker Youp Cretier of Domein Hof te Dieren

He started the construction of the vineyard in 2004 and now has a full-time job maintaining this unique walled vineyard of over two hectares, working in the wine cellar and organizing wine tours and tastings. Nowadays Domein Hof te Dieren produces around 10.000 bottles of wine a year.

Landgoed Hof te Dieren in de provincie Gelderland.

Limoncello, produced by Domein Hof te Dieren.

Partially covered terrace Domein Hof te Dieren

Growing modern grape varieties in the Netherlands

Winemaker Youp Cretier chose to plant a variety of nine modern varieties of wine grapes that perform better in shorter-season, cooler and more humid wine regions. For the production of red wines he planted Regent, Rondo, Monarch and Cabernet Cantor. He also planted Muscat Bleu which is used both as a table grape and for winemaking.

Vineyard of Domein Hof te Dieren in Gelderland

Varieties for white wine production are Johanniter, Solaris, Seyval Blanc and Merzling. In addition to all this he also creates Port-like wines, ice wines and in cooperation with a distillery in Nijmegen distilled spirits and liqueurs.

Dutch wines of Domein Hof te Dieren

Tasting wines at a local Dutch winery

A tour, a wine tasting, a family reunion, a picknick in the vineyard or getting married between the vines? As long as you contact the winery (and your loved one) beforehand, Domein Hof te Dieren offers a fair bit of possibilities.

The winery is open daily in the afternoon and offers a terrace where you can enjoy your wine. Don’t forget to enjoy all that nearby National Park Veluwezoom has to offer during your visit!

Updated: 05-11-2024

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