Prince-Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn founded the non-profit and charitable foundation in 1576. Even today it still operates a hospital, as well as a foundation for the elderly, nursing and benefice accommodation and many other non-profit institutions for suffering and needy people.
The profits generated from agriculture, forestry and the wine estate serve to fulfil these social duties.
The associated foundation wine estate is the second largest Silvaner wine estate in Germany.
Director: Horst Kolesch
Cellar masters: Nicolas Frauer, Helmut Klüpfel
Vineyard masters: Lothar Flößer, Josef Schmitt, Peter Rudolff, Erhard Wendel
Annual production: approx. 1 million bottles
Average yield: 63 hl/ha
Soil: shell limestone, Keuper gypsum, coloured sandstone
Best sites: Würzburger Stein, Randersackerer Pfülben, Escherndorfer Lump, Volkacher Karthäuser, Rödelseer Küchenmeister, Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg
Varietal structure: 43% Silvaner, 20% Riesling, 17% Müller-Thurgau, 4% Spätburgunder, 16% other varieties; in addition to Pinot Blanc varieties, there are also specialities such as Muscatel and Traminer.