For many decades, the old school building, dating from 1908, was the center of the village community of Bingen-Kempten. When the school closed in the 1960s because the classrooms were too small, the future of the listed building looked uncertain. The owners of the Hemmes family winery bought it, restored it with great dedication, and brought it back to life. In the four former classrooms, a wine school was set up, analogous to the building's original use.

Here, guests can enjoy a tastefully furnished wine shop, tasting rooms, a professional catering kitchen, wine tastings, vintage presentations, readings, and celebrations. The modern ambience has been integrated into the historic surroundings with flair and style. The jury awarded the prize in the category of sustainability in wine tourism to the Hemmes Winery for preserving the old building fabric in the town center and for the building's forward-looking geothermal energy supply. The international jury concurred with this vote at its annual general meeting in Bordeaux on November 5.