Term for a courier who used to deliver written permission for the grape harvest in certain wine-growing regions such as the Rheingau. The so-called late harvest rider became famous; see there.
Popular name for the statue of a horseman in Johannisberg Castle in the Rheingau. The horseman carries a large bunch of grapes in his hand and symbolises the "invention" or origin of the late harvest. However, the figure is not historically documented. From 1718, the permission of the Prince-Bishop of Fulda for the grape harvest in this region was delivered in writing by the so-called autumn courier. In 1775, this was sent 14 days too late to the Benedictine Father Kellner of...
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Thomas Götz
Weinberater, Weinblogger und Journalist; Schwendi