History

The history of Donnerskirchen, which is the seat of the wine growing cooperative ST. MARTINUS, goes back into the middle of the 14th century A.C., when it was the knight seat of Johan von Dundolskrichen. At the beginning of the 17th century, the premises were acquired by Baron Christoph Leisser von Idolsberg und Kronseck, who had it renovated. Already at that time, this place was the centre of large vineyards.

In the era of the famous composer Joseph Haydn, the wine cellars of ST. MARTINUS were the only cellars owned by count Esterházy, who acquired them in the second half of the 17th century, in 1658, together with the property. In the course of time, the wine cellars were rebuilt and became the main storerooms for all Esterházy’s own and tithe wines. The wines from Esterhazy’s castle in Hungary were also transported to Donnerskirchen, because the wet and smelly cellars in the castle were not the right place for the wine to reap. It is said that the famous composer Joseph Haydn was also paid in kind, with the wine from Esterhazy’s cellars in Donnerskirchen.
To remember these old times, the winegrowing association ST. MARTINUS uses the trademarks “Freiherr von Leisser”, “Lutherwein” and also “Haydnwein”.