One of the most significant legislative enactments of the Carolingian era is undoubtedly the Capitulare de villis. This capitulary has survived to the present day thanks to a single manuscript: the Cod. Guelf. 254 Helmst., currently housed in the Herzog August Library in Wolfenbüttel. Although the manuscript can be dated between 825 and 850, the capitulary itself most likely dates back a few years earlier, around 790.

The term "Capitulare de villis" translates to "a legislative decree regarding villas," where *villas* (from the Latin villæ) refer to the combination of storage facilities, residential nuclei, and fields that constituted a feudal estate. The capitulary contains 70 articles addressing various aspects of life within the villa.

One particularly notable topic is the emphasis on vineyards and wine. The presence of vineyards within the villæ was essential, as wine was one of the most commonly consumed beverages of the time (especially during religious ceremonies) and, more importantly, was considered safe to drink. Water, in contrast, was untreated and often carried harmful bacteria, leading to illness and even death. For this reason, maintaining a substantial stock of wine in the cellar was of utmost importance. According to Article 8, wine production was focused on quantity rather than quality, ensuring that the wine could be stored for no less than three or four clusters of grapes (as specified in Article 22).

Finally, it is worth highlighting Article 26. This section outlines a unique punishment enforced by the king or queen: abstinence from wine (and meat). Anyone accused of negligence was prohibited from drinking wine until further notice from the sovereigns. In some cases, the punished individual had to travel on foot to the monarch to humbly request permission to resume wine consumption.