Zell is the oldest documented wine-growing community in the Palatinate (around 700 AD). The Klosterstück vineyard was part of the property of the Zell monastery, which was located where the Schwedhelm winery (Klosterhof) stands today. Viticulture in the Zell Valley could date back to 708 AD - a date that is occasionally mentioned in historical contexts. This early dating possibly refers to documents or traditions that confirm viticulture in the region, although details are often scarce. The earliest documentary mention of viticulture in the Zellertal dates back to 774 A.D. In this year, it was documented that vines were already growing on limestone rocks in the region.
In the High Middle Ages and early modern times, the Zellertal was an important center for viticulture in the Palatinate. The wine from the region was known nationwide for its quality. With secularization at the beginning of the 19th century, much of the monastery property, including the vineyards in the monastery area, passed into private hands.
