2016 Monastero Suore Cistercensi Coenobium

Region: Lazio < Italy
Grapes: Trebbiano, Verdicchio, Malvasia, and Grechetto
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic farming with no additions of any kind; volcanic soil; grapes destemmed and left on the skins for a bit; bottled unfined/unfiltered; with minimal SO2 12% ABV
Winemaker: Giampero Bea 

Wine made by nuns in the hills of Lazio! About 30 miles north of Rome is the Monastero Suore Cisterci, where a group of 80 Cistercian Nuns are rocking the world of natural wine. The Catholic Church has a history of establishing quality viticulture throughout Europe, and these autonomous, self-sustaining communities produce beer, wine, spirits, cheeses, and sweets to make their living. Wine is a how the sisters support their facility here in Vitorchiano, and also a part of their spiritual practice. The vineyard was hand-planted with local white grape varieties, which the sisters tend organically and without machinery. They make the wine with the help of one of Italy’s most respected low-intervention wine producers—Giampiero Bea and his father, Paolo – who come each year from their home base in Umbria. Golden delicious apples and flowers, pineapple on the rocks. Round and luscious yet somehow ethereal. Like angels made it. Which, considering the sisters’ sacrifice and hard work, is kind of true…