Schloss Proschwitz

Schloss Proschwitz is a baroque castle and wine estate located near Zadel in the Meissen district of Saxony, Germany. It is recognized as the oldest wine estate in Saxony, with a winemaking history that stretches back centuries. The estate is owned and operated by Prince Georg zur Lippe-Weißenfeld, whose family originally owned the property before being expropriated in 1945. After German reunification, Prince Georg repurchased the agricultural land in 1990 and the castle itself in 1997, rebuilding the winery from the ground up. Today, Weingut Schloss Proschwitz is a member of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikats- und Qualitätsweingüter) and has been certified organic since 2025, farming approximately 75 hectares of vineyards. The winery produces a range of wines typical of the Saxony region, including Goldriesling, Elbling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and others. The castle itself has been restored and serves as a cultural venue, housing a vinothek, restaurant, event spaces, and holiday apartments. The estate also hosts regular events such as sundowner cocktail evenings and wine tastings, and it operates an online shop. In 2025, two of its VDP.GUTSWEINE—the 2025 Goldriesling and 2025 Elbling—were awarded among the best organic wines in Germany. The estate celebrated the 30th anniversary of the family's repurchase of the castle in 2026 with a festive weekend. Schloss Proschwitz combines historical preservation, organic viticulture, and cultural hospitality, positioning itself as a premium Saxon wine brand with a strong regional identity.

The history of Schloss Proschwitz spans over 850 years. The hills of Proschwitz were part of the possessions of the Bishops of Meissen from the 12th century until the Reformation, and the estate was already renowned for its vineyards. A knight Eckbert von Proschwitz is mentioned in 1102. In 1554, the lands belonged to Ernst von Miltitz. The manor house that stood there was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War. In 1657, Peter Wedermann bought the estate along with the lordship of Zscheila. Later, the von Schilling family became owners and in 1704 built a small baroque castle with a Mansard roof. Countess Magdalena von Beichlingen, née von Miltitz, continued construction in 1732 in an L-shape, and her daughter, Countess von Gersdorff, inherited it. In 1790, Baron Carl Friedrich von Berlepsch, marshal of the court to the Elector of Saxony, bought the property. The castle then passed to the von Carlowitz family, who arranged a 5-hectare English landscape park. It was expanded between 1882 and 1888 with a west wing. In 1901, the marriage of Count Clemens von Lippe-Biesterfeld-Weissenfeld to Baroness Friederike von Carlowitz brought the castle into the Lippe family. It was restored in 1914, and a small French garden was designed on the west side. In 1943, the castle was requisitioned by authorities to house children displaced by bombing. After the war, Prince Christian von Lippe-Biesterfeld was expropriated, imprisoned, and expelled to the western zone. The castle became a psychiatric hospital. In 1990-1991, Prince Georg von Lippe succeeded in repurchasing the estate, and in 1997 he bought the castle itself for 1,250,000 DM. It was restored in the early 2000s. The winery was rebuilt after 1990, and in 1996 the wine received the VDP label. Today, the estate comprises 79 hectares, with 14.7 hectares of young vines not used in wine production. The vineyards are planted with Pinot Gris (13.9 ha), Elbling (7.3 ha), Pinot Blanc (7.3 ha), Pinot Noir (5.9 ha), and the rest with Riesling, Dornfelder, Scheurebe, Müller-Thurgau, Traminer, etc. A restaurant in part of the castle offers wine tastings. The estate celebrated 30 years of family ownership in 2026.

• 2026

  30th anniversary of family repurchase celebrated

• 2025

  VDP.Prädikatsweingut, 75ha organic viticulture; wines awarded among best organic wines in Germany

• 1997

  Prince Georg repurchases the castle and park for 1,250,000 DM

• 1996

  Wine receives VDP label

• 1990

  Prince Georg zur Lippe-Weißenfeld repurchases the land and begins rebuilding the winery

• 1945

  Expropriation and expulsion of the family

• 1914

  Manor house becomes baroque residential castle; garden hall and crown gate added

• 1901

  Marriage of Count Clemens von Lippe-Biesterfeld-Weissenfeld and Baroness Friederike von Carlowitz brings castle into Lippe family

• 1859

  Dietrich Carl von Carlowitz inherits Proschwitz and develops it into a large agricultural enterprise

• 1790

  Proschwitz becomes family estate of the Barons von Berlepsch; English landscape garden created

• 1732

  Countess Magdalena von Beichlingen acquires the property and adds a side wing

• 1704

  Dr. Jacob Friedrich Schilling acquires the estate and begins construction of the manor house and wine cellar

• 1657

  Peter Wedermann buys the estate and lordship of Zscheila

• 1554

  Lands belong to Ernst von Miltitz

• Knight Eckbert von Proschwitz is mentioned

Premium organic Saxon wine estate and cultural destination

• VDP.GUTSWEINE 2025 Goldriesling

  Awarded as one of the best organic wines in Germany in 2025

• VDP.GUTSWEINE 2025 Elbling

  Awarded as one of the best organic wines in Germany in 2025

• Pinot Gris

  13.9 hectares planted

• Elbling

  7.3 hectares planted

• Pinot Blanc

  7.3 hectares planted

• Pinot Noir

  5.9 hectares planted

• Riesling

  Part of remaining plantings

• Dornfelder

  Part of remaining plantings

• Scheurebe

  Part of remaining plantings

• Müller-Thurgau

  Part of remaining plantings

• Traminer

  Part of remaining plantings

1. 1Schloss Proschwitz official websiteschloss-proschwitz.de
2. 2Über Unsschloss-proschwitz.de
3. 3Wikidata entry for Schloss Proschwitzwikidata.org
4. 4Château de Proschwitz - Wikipedia (French)fr.wikipedia.org