Visit of the historical cellar of Strasbourg hospital

My Review of the Cave historique des Hospices

History: 600 Years of Winemaking and Hospitality Traditions

The Historical Cellar of the Hospices de Strasbourg was created in 1395 and was used in the Middle Ages to store wine, grain and other perishable goods for the sick, pilgrims and religious. In the Middle Ages, beyond its religious vocation, wine was used as medicine and each patient received 2 to 3 liters of wine per day. This tradition will last until the beginning of the 19th century.

The hospice quickly became a wealthy landowner, as many patients paid for their care by bequeathing plots of land, which, when combined, formed a very large estate. In 1716, a fire destroyed the hospital, though it spared the bakery, the chapel, and the cellar.

In the 20th century, wine production gradually declined, but in 1995, the winery resumed operations as a cooperative, thanks to the initiative of Alsatian winemakers . After extensive restoration, the winery now sells more than 150,000 bottles a year, but refrains from any advertising and reinvests all its profits in the purchase of medical equipment.

The 1472 barrel, the world’s oldest wine

The historic cellar of the Hospices civils de Strasbourg holds the oldest wine in the world kept in a barrel… It dates from 1472! Impossible of course to taste it, since it was only served 3 times

Be sure to admire the three historic casks, safely protected behind their grille, dating from 1472, 1519, and 1525. The first one contains the world’s oldest wine still in a cask. The 300 liters of this legendary vintage—a white wine—have been served only three times in five centuries since it was put into the cask, and only on special occasions. The last time was during the liberation of Strasbourg in 1944… Don’t hold your breath hoping to taste it! This wine underwent an oenological inspection in 1994.

During your visit, you can also explore the cellar and admire the huge casks containing Alsatian wines from various estates, as well as a wine press dating from 1727 and a massive barrel from 1881, with a capacity of over 26,000 liters.

The Store: Where Can You Buy Wines from the Historic Cellar?

The wines labeled with the name of the Cave historique des Hospices de Strasbourg, which can be purchased in the store adjacent to the cellar, come from some thirty Alsatian wineries. The wines are selected by a tasting committee (with a double blind tasting), then carefully matured in the oak tuns of the historic cellar and bottled on site. A nice way to perpetuate the tradition of this extraordinary cellar!

Key Facts About the Historic Cellar of the Hospices

• 🍷 A free and unique spot, perfect for a cultural break during your weekend in Strasbourg.
• 🏺 The world’s oldest wine stored in a barrel (1472)—on display but never available for tasting.
• 🛍️ There’s a shop on site where you can pick up a bottle of Alsatian wine.
• ⚠️ No tastings for individual visitors—by reservation only, for groups of at least 15 people.

Want to round out your visit with a gourmet break? Check out my article on the best winstubs in Strasbourg.

FAQ: Your Questions About the Tour of the Historic Cellar