Wijngoed Raar Saint Remi — Winery in Meerssen

When the Romans built villas along the Via Belgica in Meerssen, the gateway to the Mergelland, they also introduced winegrowing on the fertile hills around it. The first written mention of Meerssen vineyards dates from 968: Queen Gerberga of Saxony gave the Lordship of Meerssen to the monks of Saint-Remi in Reims, who founded a provostry around 1126 and cultivated the vineyards to French standards. That thousand-year tradition gave its name to the wine estate, founded in 2013 by Arno and Josje Claessens. On 1 May 2026 Bernard and Marita took over, building on the same core values. Tastings take place in the authentic vaulted cellar, home to a replica of the retable of the Basilica of the Holy Sacrament in Meerssen, a direct link to the medieval monastic tradition. Tours of the vineyard and cellar are followed by a guided tasting of the current range, optionally with matching amuses. Open on Saturdays, other days by appointment. 2.5 hectares in four locations: Raarberg and Lange Raarberg (Meerssen), Kruisdonk (Maastricht) and Albig (Rheinhessen, Germany), 6,500 vines in total. Pinot Noir, Regent, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sylvaner, Scheurebe and Pinot Meunier. A special one: a Méthode Porto, a fortified wine whose fermentation is stopped early with the estate's own spirit, distilled from apple cider from the estate by Mwórveld Distillery in Moorveld.