Organic wine is one thing, but organic wine made with very minimal intervention by nuns? Its enough to cause a sensation. Ninety minutes north of Rome, 80 Cistercian nuns farm ten acres of vines entirely organically. With some consultation from the Bea family, the nuns have turned out some wines that are just like they are. The spartan landscape (and cellar) are energetic and full of warm spirit.

The Cistercian order of nuns at Monastero Suore Cistercensi, in Lazio, planted their vineyard in 1963, but it wasnt until the early 2000’s that their wines began to attract more attention, largely due to their employment of the noted winemaking consultant, Giampiero Bea,son and successor to the celebrated Paolo Bea. The wines share Bea’s rare combination of wildness and elegance. They are unique, fun and playful, while still showing off serious skill as well as the viticultural heritage of southern Italy.

Fruit isgrown organically and naturally in volcanic soils and manually-harvested.The sisters produce a scant amount of red wine and Benedic is a blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo. Despite a two-week maceration, Benedic is typically a beautifully pale, translucent wine. At just 11% alcohol, its color is soft and almost coppery. Aromas of red licorice, dried leaves, and fresh pipe tobacco introduces a palate with a floral edge and gentle tannins. Low in alcohol and incredibly crushable, this red loves a light chill and is versatile, working with antipasti, seafood or pizza night. The wine undergoes a 15-day natural fermentation without any forced stabilization.