There was a large brewery besides, which supplied all the near-by cities and towns.

The German noble, be he king, duke, or baron, has always been more or less a merchant; and it did not embarrass the grand duke of Ehrenstein in the least to see his coat of arms burnt into oaken wine-casks.
A former steward had full charge of the business, personally hiring and paying the help and supervising the various branches.

He was a gruff old fellow, just and honest; and once you entered his employ he was as much a martinet as any captain at sea.

The low cunning of the peasant never eluded his watchful eye.

He knew to the last pound of grapes how much wine there should be, how much beer to the last measure of hops.
The entrance to the vineyards was made through a small lodge where the ducal vintner lived, and kept his books and moneys till such time as he should be required to place them before the proper official.
Upon this brave morning, the one following the ball at the palace, the vintner was reclining against the outside wall of the gates, smoking his china-pipe and generally at peace with the world.