Humanity has brewed alcoholic beverages since ancient times. Egyptians produced wine and beer for daily use around 4000 B.C., and by the Middle Ages in Europe many people drank ale or beer every day.
Several modern breweries and vineyards began as monastic operations where monks crafted high-quality beer and wine both for their own consumption and for sale. Those recipes and techniques were passed down through generations of monks before many of the businesses were privatized or nationalized in later centuries.
The brands below are among the oldest still producing and selling alcoholic beverages today. Many remain under the ownership of the same families or companies that founded them. This list is not exhaustive. The first eight entries originate in medieval times and continue to make their products today. Later entries, dating from the 16th century onward, were selected for their distinctive histories or geographic diversity.
Staffelter Hof
Staffelter Hof
Year founded: 862
Country: Germany
Specialty: Wine
Where to buy: Directly from the winery in Germany and in limited shops abroad
Staffelter Hof began as a wine-producing abbey in the Rhineland, with records dating back to 862. The land was granted to the abbey by royal decree and remained in monastic hands until 1805, when a private family acquired it. That family’s descendants continue to run the winery today. A distillery was added in 1890, and more recently the estate expanded to include a guesthouse.
Château de Goulaine
Château de Goulaine
Year founded: circa 10th century (930–1000)
Country: France
Specialty: Wine
Where to buy: Online and select wine shops
The Goulaine family established a fortified château in the Loire Valley in the 12th century on their ancestral estate. Initially the wines were for family use, but over time they were sold under the Château de Goulaine name. The Goulaine family—ennobled in 1610—still owns the estate, making it one of Europe’s longest continuously family-run businesses. Today the château also hosts a large butterfly conservatory and preserves a literary legacy through past family members who were writers.
Weltenburger
Weltenburger
Year founded: estimated 1035
Country: Germany
Specialty: Beer
Where to buy: Beer and specialty stores worldwide
The Benedictine monastery at Weltenberg has roots reaching back to around 600, but the first record of brewing at the site dates to 1035, when the death of a master brewer was documented. Weltenburger beer still matures in rock cellars beneath the original monastery, and brewing continues to be carried out in keeping with monastic tradition.
Weihenstephan
Weihenstephan
Year founded: 1040
Country: Germany
Specialty: Beer
Where to buy: Sold across the United States and worldwide; use the brewery’s product finder for local outlets
Monks at the Weihenstephan Monastery on a hill above Freising earned a reputation for brewing by the 8th century, and in 1040 they received a license from the city to sell beer. Over centuries of fires, invasions and epidemics, the monastery’s brewing tradition endured. The brewery was nationalized in 1803 and transformed into a school for brewing and agriculture, educating brewers from around the world. Weihenstephan beers continue to win international awards and are widely distributed.
Affligem
Affligem
Year founded: 1074
Country: Belgium
Specialty: Beer
Where to buy: Selected retailers worldwide
In 1074, six knights renounced arms to become monks and founded an abbey at Affligem in present-day Belgium. They learned to brew beer, and for centuries the monks maintained the tradition despite the abbey being destroyed twice. During World War II the abbey’s brewing equipment was seized, interrupting production for many years. In 1956 the monks entrusted their recipes to an outside brewer, who continues to produce Affligem beers that still display the historic sword-and-keys emblem referencing their monastic origin.
Sudo Honke
Sudo Honke
Year founded: 1141
Country: Japan
Specialty: Sake
Where to buy: Widely available in Japan and online in select international markets
Sudo Honke traces its origins to a samurai family that established a brewery to support the local economy and meet tax obligations. It is recognized as the oldest sake brewery still in operation, having weathered earthquakes, tsunamis, wars and other disasters. The business is managed by the 55th generation of the founding family and uses local spring water and rice to produce limited annual volumes, so supplies can be scarce.
Frapin
Frapin
Year founded: 1270
Country: France
Specialty: Cognac
Where to buy: Available online and at wine and spirits retailers worldwide
The Frapin family began as wine growers and later expanded into distillation, retaining ownership of nearly 600 acres of vineyards in France. The family line includes notable historical figures and over time the distillery garnered awards for its cognacs. In the late 19th century, designer Gustave Eiffel contributed ironwork to estate buildings, and in the 21st century Frapin has continued to receive top honors in international spirits competitions.
Marchesi Antinori
Antinori
Year founded: 1385
Country: Italy
Specialty: Wine
Where to buy: In wine shops worldwide and online
The Antinori family, active in trade and finance in Florence during the 13th century, turned to winemaking in 1385. Over the centuries the family became prominent and prosperous, producing large quantities of wine by the 16th century. In the 20th century the estate expanded its offerings and hospitality, and in 1997 an Antinori wine was named “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator—the first Italian wine to receive that honor. The Antinori family continues to run the business across many generations.
Bols
Bols
Year founded: 1575
Country: The Netherlands
Specialties: Fruit liqueurs, genever (Dutch gin), vodka
Where to buy: Widely distributed at liquor stores and online
The Bols family began distilling fruit and spice liqueurs in Amsterdam in 1575, producing flavors such as cumin, cardamom and orange. By the mid-17th century the company exported globally and later added genever, a precursor to modern gin. Vodka was introduced to the portfolio in the late 20th century. Today Bols offers dozens of liqueur varieties and remains a well-known name in spirits.
Bushmills
Bushmills
Year founded: 1608
Country: Ireland
Specialty: Whiskey
Where to buy: Available online and at liquor retailers worldwide
Bushmills traces its licensed production back to 1608 and claims the title of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Except for a six-year closure during World War II when the site housed troops, the distillery has operated for centuries despite fires and wars. Bushmills continues to produce award-winning whiskeys enjoyed around the world.
Kopke
Kopke
Year founded: 1638
Country: Portugal
Specialty: Port
Where to buy: Select wine shops worldwide
German merchant Nicolau Kopke settled in Portugal in the 1630s, trading and shipping wine to Northern Europe. By 1781 the Kopke company began producing wine on its own estate and focused on fortified port wines. Kopke remains noted for its aged and tawny ports, which are prized by collectors and wine lovers.
Mount Gay Rum
Mount Gay Rum
Year founded: 1703
Country: Barbados
Specialty: Rum
Where to buy: Select liquor stores worldwide
During the 18th century Barbados was a hub for sugar and rum production. John Gay developed a double-still distillation method and established Mount Gay, which is recognized as the oldest rum distillery in the world. Mount Gay rum was exported on sailing ships from Bridgetown and the brand today maintains ties to its maritime heritage, sponsoring sailing events globally.
Maison Ruinart
Maison Ruinart
Year founded: 1729
Country: France
Specialty: Champagne
Where to buy: Select wine shops worldwide
Nicolas Ruinart, a former Benedictine monk, established the world’s first Champagne house in 1729. Ruinart produced one of the earliest rosé champagnes in the 18th century and acquired ancient chalk quarries to use as fermentation cellars. Those chalk cellars are now a protected heritage site and remain integral to the house’s production.
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace
Year founded: 1773
Country: United States
Specialty: Bourbon
Where to buy: Limited availability at select retailers
Founded at a site named for a buffalo crossing on the Kentucky River, Buffalo Trace dates back to 1773 and is the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States. During Prohibition the distillery held a medical license that allowed limited production of whiskey for medicinal use. Covering extensive acreage, Buffalo Trace has earned many industry awards and remains family-owned and operated.