Esterhazy - Austria

The history of the house of Esterhazy goes back to the 13th century.  The princely line was founded in 1687 by Emperor Leopold 1.  The ancestral family seat - the baroque Esterhazy palace in Eisenstadt - was designed by the Italian architect Carlone and completed in 1683.   Along with their high level of education and interest in art, music and science, the Esterhazy princes were known also for their magnificent royal household Johann Wolfgang von Goethe raved about a "fairy tale kingdom" during his visit to one of the Esterhazy festivities.   Empress Maria Theresia loved the wine of the lake.   And the world-famous composer Joseph Haydn, wanted to have part of his salary as the court musician paid in wine.   Wine-growing has been in the genes of the House of Esterhazy for more than 250 years, and it has evolved to today's standard with the opening of the new state of the art winery in 2006.