The City of Frankfurt's vineyard will have a new tenant at the turn of the year. Hochheim winemaker Fabian Schmidt will take over the business on 1 January. Schmidt signed the 30-year lease agreement on Thursday together with Sylvia Weber, Frankfurt's Councillor for Education, Real Estate and New Construction. The city council had previously approved the new lease.
The municipal winery includes the estate in Hochheim with its manor house and wine tavern, as well as vineyards in Hochheim, Mainz-Kostheim and on Frankfurt's Lohrberg. In total, there are around 23 hectares of vineyards. In addition, Schmidt will also operate the wine shop in the Römer in future.
According to the city, Schmidt prevailed over ten other applicants in a multi-stage concept process. Among other things, his focus on organic viticulture and his plans to modernise and further develop the winery were decisive factors. The responsible department head, Weber, spoke of a "motivated new tenant" who wants to make the business sustainable in the coming years.
The lease agreement stipulates that Schmidt will make extensive investments in the Hochheim site during the first eight years. In return, the city will waive rent and lease income for the first three years. The reason for this is the necessary repairs and renovations to the manor house, production and storage hall, and restaurant building.
Schmidt, who already runs his own winery with around 15 hectares of vineyards, brings numerous ideas for the further development of the municipal winery. He intends to strengthen the winery's presence in the city and anchor it more firmly in Frankfurt's public life. Among other things, he plans to participate in major city events – from the Museumsuferfest to the Christmas market.
The wines produced by Schmidt are certified organic; since 2023, his business has also been operating in accordance with the guidelines of the Demeter Association. The new tenant is confident that the people of Frankfurt will continue to maintain a close relationship with "their" winery in the future.
