First documented mention of the Johannisberg vineyards. Emperor Ludwig the Pious acquires vineyards on the Helisa stream, today’s Elsterbach, from Fulda Abbey.

Foundation of the Benedictine monastery at the Johannisberg site.

The name Johannisberg is born. The monastery becomes an independent abbey and consecrates the high altar to John the Baptist. The German name means St. John’s hill.

A difficult economic and political period leads to changing owners

Construction of the palace commences on 20 June to take the place of the monastery ruins caused by this turbulent period.

The entire domain is planted with Riesling. The first closed Riesling vineyard in the world is created.

By chance, “Spätlese” is created as a new wine style at Schloss Johannisberg. Permission for the official start of the grape harvest is delayed. When it arrives, the grapes on the vines are already fully ripe. The courageous cellarman reaps them anyway and “Spätlese” was born. Since then it has been regarded as the figurehead of Schloss Johannisberg.

After Napoleon’s defeat, Schloss Johannisberg is placed under the central administration of Prussia, Russia, and Austria, the former Allies.

On 1 July, Emperor Franz I of Austria presented Schloss Johannisberg to his Foreign Minister Prince von Metternich in recognition of his achievements at the Congress of Vienna.

The first “Eiswein” is produced.

Schloss Johannisberg is partially destroyed by a bomb strike on 12 August.

Schloss Johannisberg becomes an exclusive single vineyard according to the wine law.

One of the best Riesling wineries in the world.