Wijnhoeve De Colonjes

The Netherlands

"To me, being a winegrower is the greatest joy of life one could ever wish for…"

Groesbeek battlefields of World War II

The village of Groesbeek, home of Dutch winery Wijnhoeve De Colonjes, played a major role towards the end of World War II and witnessed a large-scale military operation. During the airborne operation Market Garden in September 1944, one of the assigned drop zones for American paratroopers was located just outside the village.

The main goal was to advance into Nazi Germany, an operation that became known as The Rhineland Offensive. We walked through the vineyards of De Colonjes, and you can’t help but realizing these vines were planted in the footsteps of those men.

Liberation Route Marker 9 in Groesbeek

New generation of Dutch winemakers

After his retirement, Freek Verhoeven turned his love for wine into a serious hobby. As an amateur winemaker he planted a first hectare of vines in 2001 and soon got his brother involved as well. Not being youngsters anymore they realized soon they needed some help.

Adam Dijkstra was in the right place at the right time. His intention was to follow a winemaking study in South Africa. While his bags were already packed, he decided to make a different choice and follow a viticulture education in Germany instead. The opportunity to help continue a winery was one that you do not encounter every day.

Dutch winemaker Adam Dijkstra of Wijnhoeve De Colonjes

Poppies in the fields around the vineyards

The vineyards of Wijnhoeve De Colonjes just outside Groesbeek

One of the largest Dutch wine brands

Wijnhoeve De Colonjes is now one of the largest wineries in the Netherlands. The vineyards are situated in three locations around Groesbeek. From the beginning Freek’s mission was to work as sustainable as possible. The obvious choice was to plant hybrid grape varieties like Johanniter, Solaris, Muscaris, Helios and Cabernet Blanc to produce white wines.

They even had the honor to name a new hybrid after their vineyard, the Cabernet Colonjes. Red wines are produced from Regent, Pinotin and Cabernet Cortis. What started merely as a hobby in 2001 has now become a 13 hectares winery.

Entrance gate to vineyards of Dutch winery Wijnhoeve De Colonjes

Winetasting and winetour at De Colonjes

If you contact in advance you’re welcome for a tour and tasting at Wijnhoeve De Colonjes. The bottle shop is open daily from Tuesday until Sunday. Since 2017 Groesbeek also hosts the Dutch Centre for Viticulture. Combine your trip with a visit to the National Liberation Museum 1944-1945. The nearby serene and peaceful Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial will leave you with an everlasting impression.

Wijnboerderij 't Heekenbroek

Originally from Groningen in the north of the Netherlands, Job and Neeltje Huisman, owners Winery 't Heekenbroek, wanted to return to what they consider the ideal way of life: working in and on their own farm. After years of being co-owner of an animal feed plant they changed course and started a vineyard in the Achterhoek, a region in the easternmost part of the Netherlands.

Domein Hof te Dieren

Domain Hof te Dieren is located in the village of Dieren, in the province Gelderland. It is the largest walled vineyard in the Netherlands. The construction of the vineyard on this historic estate that dates back to the 13th century, started in 2004.

Wijndomein Oude Waalstroom

In the village Hurwenen, located in the region Bommelerwaard, in between the rivers Maas and Waal, you find Wijndomein Oude Waalstroom. In this vineyard they produce quality wines in an organic, traditional and sustainable way.