What is the Prostitutes Vineyard?
The Prostitutes Vineyard, known locally as “Hurenkind” or “Hinterhaus” in the Rheingau region of Germany, is a specific, historically significant vineyard site within the larger Steinberg vineyard near Kloster Eberbach. Its notoriety stems almost entirely from its provocative medieval name, which has survived centuries despite attempts to change it. Today, it’s part of the Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach (Hessian State Wineries) and produces high-quality Riesling wines.
Located within the iconic, walled Steinberg vineyard – often called Germany’s “Clos de Vougeot” – the Hurenkind plot sits on a distinct, south-facing slope. Its unique microclimate and soil composition contribute to the character of its wines. While the name raises eyebrows, the vineyard itself is a serious producer of fine Riesling, benefiting from the same exceptional terroir as the surrounding Steinberg parcels. The survival of the name offers a fascinating, unfiltered glimpse into medieval social history and land ownership practices.
The vineyard’s existence and its persistent name challenge modern sensibilities but serve as a tangible link to a very different past. Understanding it requires separating the sensational name from the actual viticultural significance of the site within one of Germany’s most prestigious wine-growing areas.
Where is the Prostitutes Vineyard Located?
The Prostitutes Vineyard (Hurenkind) is situated within the Steinberg vineyard, immediately adjacent to the historic Eberbach Abbey (Kloster Eberbach) in the village of Eltville am Rhein, Rheingau, Germany. The Steinberg itself is a large, entirely walled vineyard complex, a rarity in Germany, covering approximately 33 hectares. The Hurenkind plot forms a specific section of this walled enclosure.
The Rheingau region is world-renowned for its Riesling wines, characterized by the south-facing slopes along the Rhine River. The Steinberg vineyard, and thus the Hurenkind plot, enjoys a prime position on these slopes, benefiting from optimal sun exposure and excellent drainage. The soils are predominantly deep, mineral-rich Taunus quartzite and slate, ideal for Riesling, providing structure and complexity to the wines. Proximity to the Rhine River moderates temperatures and contributes to the humidity that fosters noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) for prized sweet wine production in suitable years.
Visiting the vineyard requires traveling to the Rheingau. Kloster Eberbach is a major historical and cultural attraction, making it relatively accessible. The vineyard itself is visible from the abbey grounds and accessible via paths, though specific access to the Hurenkind section might depend on vineyard operations.
Why is it Called the Prostitutes Vineyard?
The name “Hurenkind” (literally translating to “whore’s child”) originates from a medieval land deed dating back to 1271 AD. Records show that the plot was donated to the Cistercian monks of Eberbach Abbey by a woman named Irmgard. Crucially, the deed explicitly states that Irmgard received the land as an inheritance from her mother, who was identified as a “public woman” (“mulier publica” in Latin), a common medieval euphemism for a prostitute.
Unlike many medieval names sanitized over time, “Hurenkind” remarkably persisted. This resilience is attributed to the meticulous record-keeping of the Cistercian monks, who documented land ownership and transactions with great precision. The name served as a legal identifier tied directly to the property’s provenance. While shocking to modern ears, the term “Hurenkind” was likely used descriptively and legally in the 13th century, reflecting the social reality of the time without the same level of modern stigma attached to the profession or children born outside of marriage.
Attempts were made to rename the vineyard, particularly in the 1970s during German vineyard consolidation efforts (Flurbereinigung). The official name was changed to the less provocative “Hinterhaus” (meaning “back house” or “rear building,” likely referring to its position relative to the abbey). However, the historical name “Hurenkind” proved impossible to erase from local memory, historical documents, and wine lore. Today, both names are used, but “Hurenkind” remains the name that captures historical and public interest.
Who owned the Prostitutes Vineyard historically?
The Prostitutes Vineyard’s most significant historical owner was Eberbach Abbey, the powerful Cistercian monastery that received the land as a donation in 1271. The abbey, founded in 1136, became one of the most important ecclesiastical wine estates in Europe, owning vast vineyard holdings across the Rheingau. The monks were pioneers of viticulture in the region, establishing the Steinberg vineyard and its enclosing walls. They owned and managed the Hurenkind plot for centuries, integrating it into their extensive winemaking operations.
Following the secularization of church properties in the early 19th century (around 1803), the vineyards of Eberbach Abbey, including the Steinberg and the Hurenkind plot, were confiscated by the state. Ownership passed to the Duchy of Nassau and subsequently, after the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, to the Kingdom of Prussia. Since the end of World War II and the formation of the state of Hesse, the vineyards have been owned and managed by the Hessische Staatsweingüter (Hessian State Wineries), headquartered at Kloster Eberbach. This means the vineyard has effectively been under state ownership for over 200 years.
While the land ownership transferred from the church to the state, the *name* “Hurenkind” remained intrinsically linked to the specific plot due to its origin in the 1271 donation deed. The state winery continues to acknowledge this history, recognizing the name as an integral part of the site’s unique heritage within the Steinberg.
What kind of wine is produced in the Prostitutes Vineyard?
The Prostitutes Vineyard (Hurenkind/Hinterhaus) produces exclusively Riesling wines, reflecting the Rheingau region’s signature grape variety and the Steinberg’s exceptional terroir. Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach vinifies the grapes from this plot, typically producing wines classified as “Steinberger” (the broader vineyard designation) or occasionally highlighting the specific parcel if the wine demonstrates distinct characteristics worthy of separation.
Rieslings from the Steinberg, including the Hurenkind plot, are renowned for their structure, minerality, and aging potential. The deep, stony Taunus quartzite soils impart a distinctive flinty, smoky minerality and pronounced acidity. Wines range from dry (Trocken) to lusciously sweet (Trockenbeerenauslese), depending on the vintage and harvest selection. Dry Steinberg Rieslings often exhibit aromas and flavors of green apple, citrus (lemon, lime), peach, wet stone, and subtle herbal notes, with a powerful backbone and long finish. Sweeter styles develop complex notes of honey, apricot, tropical fruit, and candied citrus.
While the Hurenkind name itself isn’t usually a prominent feature on the label (the wines are sold under the “Steinberger” appellation), the historical significance of the plot adds a unique narrative layer for those who know its story. The wines are serious, high-quality expressions of Riesling from a top-tier VDP.Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) site, standing on their own merits regardless of the vineyard’s colorful past.
Can you visit the Prostitutes Vineyard?
Yes, you can visit the area encompassing the Prostitutes Vineyard as part of the larger Steinberg vineyard complex near Kloster Eberbach. The Steinberg is surrounded by a medieval stone wall, and visitors can walk along paths outside or sometimes within sections of the vineyard, depending on the season and ongoing work. The specific location of the Hurenkind plot can be seen, although it’s not typically marked as such within the vineyard itself.
The primary gateway for visiting is Kloster Eberbach itself. The abbey is a major tourist destination, offering guided tours of its stunning historical buildings, including the magnificent Romanesque and Gothic churches, the dormitory, and the vast medieval cellar. Many tours include information about the abbey’s viticultural history and its vineyards, often mentioning the Steinberg and sometimes referencing the Hurenkind story. The state winery also operates a wine shop on-site where you can purchase Steinberger wines.
To enhance your visit, consider joining a guided vineyard tour or a wine tasting offered by Kloster Eberbach. While these tours may not always venture deep into the Steinberg due to its active viticultural use, guides often point out significant features and share the history, including anecdotes about the Hurenkind. Exploring the Rheingau region’s many wine villages and other vineyards provides further context for understanding the significance of this unique site.
Has there been controversy over the name?
Yes, the name “Hurenkind” has periodically sparked controversy due to its offensive literal meaning. The most significant modern attempt to change it occurred during the large-scale vineyard consolidation (Flurbereinigung) in the Rheingau during the 1970s. As part of this process, vineyard names were standardized and sometimes altered. Authorities officially renamed the plot “Hinterhaus” (“Rear House/Building”), intending to replace the vulgar historical name with something neutral, referencing its location behind the abbey.
However, the name change was never fully accepted or successful. Several factors contributed to this: The historical name was deeply entrenched in centuries of documented land records at Eberbach Abbey. Local vintners and historians continued using “Hurenkind” as the authentic identifier. The story behind the name was considered a unique and integral part of the site’s history, regardless of modern discomfort. Attempts to erase it felt like sanitizing history. Consequently, “Hinterhaus” remains the official designation on maps and wine labels, but “Hurenkind” persists as the universally recognized historical name used in conversation, historical accounts, and tourism narratives.
Modern discussions typically focus on understanding the name in its historical context rather than advocating for or against its use today. It’s generally viewed as a fascinating, albeit jarring, historical artifact that provides insight into medieval social structures and record-keeping, rather than a deliberate modern endorsement of the term. The controversy today is largely academic or a matter of initial surprise for visitors, not an active renaming campaign.
How does the Prostitutes Vineyard compare to other famous German vineyards?
The Prostitutes Vineyard (Hurenkind) shares the prestigious VDP.Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) classification and exceptional terroir of the Steinberg vineyard, placing it among Germany’s elite Riesling sites, but its defining distinction is undeniably its unique history and name.
In terms of terroir and wine quality: Like its neighbors within the Steinberg wall (e.g., Herrnberg, Rosengarten) and other top Rheingau sites (e.g., Johannisberg, Rüdesheim Berg Schlossberg, Kiedrich Gräfenberg), Hurenkind benefits from prime south-facing exposure, mineral-rich quartzite/slate soils, and proximity to the Rhine. Wines from these sites share hallmark Rheingau characteristics: structure, elegance, pronounced minerality, and aging potential. The specific nuances of Hurenkind wines, while likely present to connoisseurs, are generally presented under the broader “Steinberger” label, similar to how parcels within other large Grosse Lage sites (like the Bernkasteler Doctor in the Mosel) might be blended.
The key difference lies entirely in its history: While many German vineyards have historical names (often referencing owners, geography, or legends), none possess a name derived from a medieval deed explicitly linking the land to a “public woman” and her child. This direct connection to a specific, provocative social circumstance documented over 750 years ago is unparalleled. Its fame, therefore, extends beyond oenophiles to historians and those fascinated by social history. While the *wine* stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other top Rieslings, the *story* of the Hurenkind vineyard is uniquely its own, making it more than just a vineyard – it’s a historical document written on the landscape.
Why does the story of the Prostitutes Vineyard matter today?
The story of the Prostitutes Vineyard matters because it transcends viticulture, offering a rare, unfiltered window into medieval society, the status of women, the power of institutions, and the persistence of history. It challenges romanticized notions of the past, revealing complex social realities often obscured by time.
The 1271 deed is a remarkable historical document. It explicitly records the transfer of land from a woman (Irmgard) who inherited it from her mother, identified without judgment as a “public woman.” This shows that women, even those in marginalized professions, could own and transfer property, albeit within a patriarchal system. The Cistercian monks, known for their piety, accepted the donation based on its legal validity, demonstrating the pragmatic intersection of faith, law, and economics. The survival of the name “Hurenkind,” despite centuries of societal change and deliberate attempts to erase it, speaks to the power of written records and the difficulty of completely sanitizing history. It highlights how place names can function as unintended historical archives.
Ultimately, the vineyard reminds us that history is messy, complex, and often uncomfortable. The Hurenkind forces a confrontation with aspects of the medieval world – social hierarchies, the role of the church, the lives of women – that might otherwise remain abstract. It connects the present-day landscape and the wine in our glasses directly to the lives of individuals over seven centuries ago, making history tangible and prompting reflection on social change and continuity. It’s a story about people, power, and place, preserved in the name of a vineyard.
