vierzehn 85

The story

vierzehn85 Leiwen – Fine Dining in a 530-Year-Old Mosel Winery | Wattafork

A New Old World

In the small Mosel town of Leiwen, a timber-framed building that has stood since 1485 now houses the restaurant vierzehn85. Originally a tithe barn where local vintners paid a tenth of their harvest, the structure was meticulously restored by Astrid and Norbert Schmitz. They have transformed the historic monument into a space where wine and culinary artistry meet.

The name itself is a direct reference to the year of the building's construction, confirmed by dendrochronology. The result is an atmosphere that feels both ancient and welcoming—a place where the centuries-old beams and a baroque front door coexist with modern comfort.

The Rhythm of Nature

The kitchen at vierzehn85 follows the seasons. The menu changes with what is fresh and regional: no asparagus in winter, no goose in summer. The current offerings reflect this commitment. Starters might include char with yellow beet, almond, and sea buckthorn, or smoked eel with turnip and lamb's lettuce. Main courses range from a crepinette of quail with king oyster mushrooms and potato to beef sirloin paired with oxtail, pumpkin, and parsley root. A selection of regional cheeses with pear chutney rounds out the meal.

Diners can choose from a 2-course menu up to a generous 6-course option, which includes three starters, a cod intermediate course, a main, and dessert. The wine list, described by the hosts as a "permanent construction site," is an ever-evolving celebration of Riesling and other local varieties.

The quality of this experience has earned vierzehn85 a Michelin Recommended award, placing it on the map for those seeking refined contemporary cuisine with a strong sense of place. It is a restaurant that honors its past while cooking for the present, offering a genuinely hospitable evening in the heart of the Mosel wine region.