nascent promise 

splendour abounds

indomitable spirit

restorative glory

The estate was first devised and constructed around 1850 upon the request of Leonard Wilski. The historical period of the building results in neoclassical architecture, where the brick structure arises from the contours of an elongated rectangle. The Hall in its original state extended only to the today’s central part, which comprises seven subdomains, complete with a projection crowned by a triangular gable and supported by the portico’s two columns.

In its present structure, Wilkowice Hall sets upon the ground floor with a residential loft that climbs upwards to connect with the upper floor’s four distinct domains. Indeed, the unreserved beauty of the loft is owed in part to its initial design and use as an area to hang various herbs to dry, explaining the adorning remnants of a shingled roof. Equally, the foundation of the Hall assents to this historical atmosphere on its own merit: the diffusing vaulted arches demarcate the high cellars that guard the growing collection of vintage wines from Dwor Wilkowice. The most recent structural addition is the terrace at the posterior side of the Hall, which – shielded with a roof resting on four pillars – attains a most natural connexion with the Old Park’s landscape, regardless of what the weather may have in store. Though to explore the beating heart of the Hall is to enter its drawing room and cast sight upon the two characteristic columns of the Tuscan order; their magnanimity inspired the current residents to christen this part of the Hall as the “The Colonnade” - somewhat tongue- in-cheek of course. Yet the crowning highlight of the Hall’s structure, not least because of its unrivalled claim to encircle every living space inside, must be the restored and expanded stucco cornice complex upon the wood-carved design of the Hall’s past origin.

As much as the allure of Wilkowice Hall is to be found in its architectural history, it is the impressive natural beauty on offer that transcends this place from that of mere historical interest. The surrounding Park exists in harmony with the nature and landscape of the locality to this day, in many ways thanks to Stefan Celichowski’s efforts to fulfill his grand design in 1910.

The glory days for Wilkowice Hall were to be tested during the most tumultuous times for Poland – it was a matter of matching the nation’s resilience. During WWII, Dwor Wilkowice provided refuge to many leading figures of Polish culture, arts, sciences and industry. Some of those who stayed in the Hall, amongst others, were: pianist Henryk Sztompka, singer Wanda Roesler-Stokowska with her daughters, Professor Dabrowski who went on to become the Rector of Polish Medical Academy, and heiress Krystyna Strzembosz. Perhaps of the most symbolic note here was the hiding of General Anders’ wife Irena, their daughter, son and granddaughter, whose uplifting legend about the awaited return of General Anders on a white horse to liberate Poland from occupation originated in Wilkowice and spread to maintain the morale with the combatants. To capture the spirit of the Hall at that time, it serves well to quote from Anna Anders-Nowakowska, daughter of General Anders:

The Wilski family were to be soon deprived of their estate after the war ended, on the back of the heroic sacrifice made by Tytus Jerzy Wilski, a barrister, who fought to death in the Battle of Kock on October 5th 1939. The incoming communist government nationalised the Hall and its lands and used it for various ill thought-out functions that gradually brought ruin and disrepair.

In 2006, Dwor Wilkolwice was privately acquired by the current landlady and proprietor of the vineyards, whose studies and experience involving fine art, education, diplomacy, and agriculture allows these days to develop Dwor Wilkowice in accordance with a harmonious vision for the future.

In these days, Dwor Wilkowice has achieved the status of a listed building in the registry of national landmarks, with a designated entry of 594/83. The Hall impressively expands over an area of 2000 square metres and benefits from a centralising location in Poland, with around 70 kilometres from Warsaw and 60 kilometres from Lodz. The transformation has lead to the leading vision for Wilkowice Hall - to create homegorwn remarkable Wines, embedding the craft of winemaking into a country unknown.