Roger Nüßlein's grandfather and father, Alfred and Anton, can be considered as the pioneers of modern viticulture in Zeil am Main. Not far from the Nüßleins' listed building ensemble is the birthplace of another winegrowing pioneer from Zeil am Main. Abbot Alberich Degen, a wine-minded Cistercian, brought the Silvaner grape from Austria to the Main in 1665. For many centuries, the magnificent half-timbered house facing the marketplace in Zeil, which the Nüßleins restored over several years in 2006 in agreement with the preservation authority, was the tithe farm of the Bamberg prince-bishops.
Essentially, it was grapes that the industrious Zeiler had to deliver there for the Catholic sovereign. Wine and money were pressed from them in the winepress. Originally, as the preservationists discovered, only gabled houses stood on the upper market square of Zeil in place of the former tithe farm. The historic bulk hatches can still be seen in the vaulted cellar of the Zehnthof and they were built into the formerly detached sides of the previous building. After renovation and conversion into a showroom, the vaulted cellar has now become quite a fabulous architectural element in the Nüßlein winery. For this reason alone, it was worthwhile for the winegrowing family to stay in the village and not move out to their own vineyards, such as the Eulengrund or the Ölspiel. With a new building it would have been difficult to create as much atmosphere as the historic buildings on the market square naturally radiate. This way, however, an exciting walk through the house is possible for the wine connoisseur. The tastings start in the new building at the rear, white wines are served in the new lounge, the red wines are served in the historic half-timbered room, and the noble sweet dessert wines are finally enjoyed in the vaulted cellar.
