Huis Beaucarne in Ename (Oudenaarde - East Flanders) is once again open to the public. It is said that grapes have been growing on the same vines in this historic vinery, a grape glasshouse since 1790. The vinery has now undergone the largest restoration in the estate’s more than 275-year history that stretches back more than 275 years. The entire operation cost nearly 1 million euros. “But it’s worth it, because you won’t see anything like this anywhere else,” beams resident Julien Fornari.
Oldest surviving vinery welcomes visitors after restoration of Huis Beaucarne in Ename
Colin Clapson
Published:
Highlight of the restoration is the historic grape hothouse. “The building dates back to the eighteenth century,” says Fornari. “These are the oldest grapes in Belgium for sure and probably also among the oldest still-living vines in the world.”
The vines are thought to date from around 1790 and survived the phylloxera plague that ravaged almost all European vineyards in the 19th century. “Today, it’s very rare to find a vine that predates that phylloxera plague.”
“That is why not only the building but also the vines are protected. The structure of the glasshouse is also unusual. The vines grow through three storeys and the grapes only ripen right at the very top.”
Glasshouse was inaccessible for years
The glasshouse had been in a poor state of repair in recent years and remained closed for almost six years. “All the floors were rotten, it was leaking inside and the stairs were broken. We had to overhaul everything completely, whilst respecting the original features and the historic paintings,” says Fornari.
Along with the greenhouse, several historic rooms at Huis Beaucarne have also been restored. These had been closed to visitors for safety reasons. The rooms have received a new lick of paint with stripes in the style of Turkish tents.
Wine from historic grapes too
The centuries-old vines still bear fruit. These are of the old German table grape variety, Frankenthaler. “We’ve been trying to make wine from them for several years now. As the grapes are very sweet, we’re aiming for a demi-sec or a light sparkling wine!”