Suore Cistercensi: Second to Nun! - 2026 Edition
10/11/26 -
The nuns of the Cistercian order are quietly and patiently making gorgeous wines in Vitorchiano, 60 miles North of Rome in Lazio on volcanic soils. Their official name is ‘Monastero Suore Cistercensi’ but the wines are affectionately known in the US as ‘Nun Wine’. In addition to grape vines, the eighty women of the order farm olive trees and various fruit trees. Everything they craft is organic, chemical free, and low technology.
When the nuns hit a point where they were making more wine than they were selling in the early 2000’s, they enlisted the help of Paolo Bea. This estate in Montefalco, Umbria is known for local grapes like Sagrantino & Trebbiano Spoletino. While The Beas assisted with details like exporting relationships and label design, the nuns already had their farming and winemaking methods mastered. The Beas were not there to edit their work; rather to connect them a bit more to the wide world of wine lovers like you and me!
Typically these wines are carefully parced out for a few reasons. Quantities are low, there is only one annual release, and they have amassed quite a cult following. Due to a healthy and plentiful 2025 harvest, we are thrilled to have Coenobium, Ruscum, and Benedic in abundance this year! The 2025's are particularly pristine, delicate, and low alcohol-- an impressive feat considering fermentations are without added yeast or temperature stabilization, and there is no fining or filtering.
2025 Coenobium Lazio Bianco - Verdicchio, Trebbiano, and Malvasia are co-harvested from Vitorchiano's volcanic soils. The grapes see a co-fermented, and then pressed directly into fiberglass for lees aging. The 2025 is pristine and pure, one of the best vintages to date! Gooseberry, tangerine, chamomile, straw, salt, anise and smoke. Lean, low alcohol, and so delicious
2025 Ruscum Lazio Bianco - Ruscum is the same blend and process as Coenobium but with about 2 weeks of gentle skin contact. The nuns let the skins do their own thing and the exact amount of maceration varies each year. The 2025 feels fresher and more vibrant than usual. It shines a beautiful golden hue, along with scents of apricot, honeycrisp apple, fennel, ginger, and hazelnut. There's a pop of smoky minerality and refreshing acidity.
2025 Benedic Lazio Rosso - Benedic is the nuns’ smallest production, and their only red wine, made from Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, and a splash of Merlot. Low alcohol and quite translucent in color, Benedic drinks with easy strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry with a kiss of smoke creeping into the back half. Serve chilled!
-Marisa Licandro
