Vineyard "The Watertower of Hoorn"

After being on the same location for 220 years (Kleine Noord 47) down-town Hoorn, Schermer Wine buyer & Distiller moved into the new housing in September 1997. Many suppliers asked what kind of present Schermer would like to receive for celebrating the new housing at the Geldelozeweg. Paul and Joke Blom did not have to think long about the answer; since Paul could see a dream come true in the garden around the building, where once the old water tower of Hoorn was situated. Therefore all foreign suppliers were asked to offer some vines of the strongest and most common grapes, growing on their vineyard.

Thus the idea of Europe’s most northern vineyard with grafted vitis vinefera arose. There are no hybrid grapes in this vineyard. The purpose of the vineyard is not for production, but purely for educational purposes. Although Blom already has 40 years of knowledge in the trade, he is still learning from the vineyard: mildew, decay, soil conditions, weather influence and trimming. The vineyard is open during the National Vineyard Day, were many visitors come to see this unique project. Furthermore the vineyard is often visited by groups preceding a wine tasting.

The vineyard is named after the original place where the water tower of Hoorn used to be, which was demolished in 1970. The fundaments of the water tower a now the fundaments of the pond. De chalky ground and rubble is a good poor soil for the vineyard. The French name of the vineyard is: Chateau d’Eau Cap Hoorn.

Presently 82 vines are planted of a wide diversity and 100% ecological: