900 Years of Winemaking Tradition

Wine has been produced at Abbazia di Novacella for almost 900 years, making the abbey winery one of the oldest active wineries in the world. Today, the estate combines centuries-old tradition with a modern commitment to quality and plays a defining role in the wine landscape of the Valle Isarco.

The focus is on white wines: around 80 percent of production is dedicated to varieties such as Sylvaner, Kerner, Müller Thurgau and Riesling. The vineyards surrounding Bressanone rise to over 900 metres above sea level and, thanks to cool nights, mineral-rich soils and extensive manual work, produce fresh, precise and elegant wines with a strong sense of origin.

Sustainability is not a trend, but an integral part of the winery’s philosophy. The vineyards are cultivated close to nature, and the entire winery operates CO₂-neutrally.

Alongside the white wines, red wines also play an important role. They account for around 20 percent of production and come from selected vineyard sites in the south of South Tyrol. Schiava, Pinot Noir and Rosenmuskateller express a warmer and more powerful side of the estate.

The winery’s premium line is called “Praepositus”. These wines come from selected vineyard sites and stand for depth, elegance and excellent ageing potential. The name is also a tribute to the provost of the abbey – “Praepositus” is the Latin term for the head of the monastery of the Augustinian canons.

In two exceptional vineyards – in Novacella and at the Marklhof estate in Cornaiano – the grapes for the winery’s single-vineyard wines are cultivated. Ideal sun exposure, meticulous manual work and deliberately low yields create wines with depth, elegance and a strong sense of place.