Wijngaard Hof van Twente

The Netherlands

"I always wanted to become a farmer so now I am a Dutch winemaker."

From city boy to Dutch winemaker 

Winery Wijngaard Hof van Twente is located on the outskirts of the small village of Bentelo in the province of Overijssel. We met up with winemaker Roelof Visscher who already knew as a child that he wanted to be a farmer even though he came from a large city.

He followed his passion and managed to reach his goal. Nowadays he is a successful ‘grape farmer’, winemaker and owner of one of the largest wineries in the Netherlands.

New grape varieties for cooler climates

The first vines went into the ground in 2000, and later on the wine cellar, winery and tasting room were built. The vineyards now cover 6,5 hectares planted with mostly new grape varieties suitable to a moist climate with less sunshine.

Grape varieties like Johanniter, Solaris, Souvignier Gris and Riesèl are used for making white wines. Regent and Pinotin varieties are used to make red and rosé wines. Recently also some rows of Pinot Noir were added. ‘Grape farmers’ throughout the region have discovered that Ilse and Roelof Visscher know how to make wine and therefor have their grapes made into wine at Hof van Twente.

Innovation and adventure

Roelof does like a challenge and producing wine in a challenging climate does not scare him. In 2014, he also started a vineyard on the grounds of the local airport on the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean. However, after three harvests, the contract was unilaterally terminated by the airport and they were forced to quit the vineyard. The vines would attract birds, which could pose a danger to air traffic. This argument did not hold up, however, and years later compensation still came.

In the Netherlands, he cheerfully started another innovative project, this time with wine made from tomatoes and peppers. In 2015, he began selling his vegetable wines under the name ViniVega. But the adventure in the Caribbean didn't sit well with him and he put his knowledge gained in Curaçao to use in Aruba to help create Alto Vista Winery. Eventually, he would still like to start his own vineyard on Bonaire.

Municipality Hof van Twente

Literally "The Garden of Twente" is a picturesque region located near the German border. With its vast green landscapes, picturesque villages and rich history, it is a true paradise for nature and culture lovers as well as epicureans in general. The agricultural area offers great opportunities for hiking or cycling.

The countryside is home to a number of beautiful small castles, manors and estates dating back to the 14th century. Before taking a tour and wine tasting at Wijngaard Hof van Twente, consider stopping by Twickel Castle and Estate. The estate includes not only the castle itself, but also extensive gardens and parks. Located near the charming and historic town of Delden, it is definitely worth a visit.