Mushrooms, wine and history in Haspengouw

The rolling countryside of Haspengouw (Hesbaye) – in the southern part of Limburg – is fertile agriculture land. It is also Belgium’s main fruit-growing area and home to some of the most northerly vineyards in Europe. Along the river Maas (Meuse) thick layers of marlstone, an indurated sediment of lime and clay, are found.
There, the caves of Kanne form a complex network of underground corridors, cut in the marlstone. During the Second World War this was an excellent hiding place. Numerous persons reputedly survived in the caves by eating the mushrooms that grew there. Still today, the marl caves are used to produce mushrooms.
From around 1700 until 1970, the marlstone layers served as quarries for building blocks, for the construction of houses, castles and churches, such as the nearby Château of Neercanne (European Treaty of Maastricht) and the Saint Servatius Church in Maastricht.
For three centuries (ca 1430-1730), when the nearby estate of Genoels-Elderen was owned by the Prince-Bishop of Luik (Liège), wine making was an important activity here. Towards the end of the 18th century wine production declined and disappeared, until – in the second half of the 20th century – vines were planted again in Haspengouw and in Genoels-Elderen. Nowadays, the domain produces an excellent wine on 25 ha of land.
Although the origin of the first Manor House goes back to the 13th century, the current classic construction dates from 1859. The U-form complex has a central corridor, a triangular fronton and a roof covered with slates from the Ardennes. The French garden with a 18th century avenue of trees was inspired by the avenue at Versailles.

Lunch: 3 course lunch incl. drinks and coffee. Vegetarians please notify at registration and indicate if fish is acceptable.

From Antwerp: 110 km / 1:30h take E313, direction Hasselt; continue for 93 km. Take exit 32-Tongeren, direction Riemst (N79) (on N79: see further directions below) From Brussels Ring: 103 km / 1:25h take E40 direction Liège for about 64 km in Waremme take exit 29-Tongres on to the N69, direction Tongres. Continue on N69 for some 16 km to Tongres (Tongeren) On the ring in Tongeren, take the N79 direction Riemst > continue on N79 > (after a while you cross E313: see below directions from that point on) From E313 (exit 32) to Kanne: 13 km 16 minutes follow N79 for 8,5 km in the direction of Maastricht-Kanne Immediately behind the bridge over the Albertkanaal (painted red), turn right into countryside road ‘Muizenberg’ to Kanne (along the canal). Cross the village, following the indications “Mergelgrotten Kanne”. Take the white bridge and, at the roundabout behind the bridge, take 2nd exit (“Mergelgrotten – Jachthaven”). Continue along the canal for some 150 m, turn left and park at the winery’s visitors’ car park