Zell (Mosel) is not only known in this country, but also nationally and internationally as the wine town of the "Zeller Schwarze Katz". But how did it become the mascot and symbol of our Moselle town? Find out more about the history and myth of the black cat on this page.
The "Zeller Schwarze Katz" even has its own website with information about the history and the Moselle wine from Zell:
The most famous vineyard is the "Zeller Schwarze Katz" and the wines that come from it are known all over the world for their special goodness and wholesomeness. The history of the "Zeller Schwarze Katz" begins in 1863, when wine merchants from Aachen were on their way to Zell.
After an extensive wine tasting at the Mayntzer winery, three barrels were on the shortlist. But they could not quite agree on which was the best. The winemaker's wife finally came into the cellar, accompanied by a black cat.
Suddenly the cat jumped onto one of the barrels, made a hump and hissed at anyone who tried to approach it. Thereupon the merchants quickly agreed and decided on the wine barrel that the black cat was guarding so doggedly.
A short time later, the same merchants came back to Zell and bought all the wines from the same vineyard site as the one in the barrel so fiercely defended by the cat, because this wine had sold like hot cakes.
The vineyard where this wine was grown was eventually named "Zeller Schwarze Katz". The citizens of Zell have created a worthy monument to their world-famous wine from the "Zeller Schwarze Katz" vineyard with the "Zeller-Schwarze-Katz-Brunnen".
The beautifully landscaped fountain square is located in the heart of Zell's old town on the market square, which is the venue for numerous events in our wine town.
