Highlighting the Work of Abbeys – Franciacorta Conference, October 4, 2025
Wine is more than a drink in Italy. It is a cultural expression, a spiritual heritage, and a bridge between past and present. The Culture of Wine and the Identity of Territories lies at the center of a unique initiative that brings abbeys back into the spotlight. This theme will take center stage on October 4, 2025, at the Convent of the Santissima Annunciata in Franciacorta. The conference, organized by Vini d’Abbazia and hosted by the Vittorio and Mariella Moretti Foundation, will highlight the timeless role of abbeys in shaping Italian viticulture and regional identity.
A Dialogue Between Past and Future
The Franciacorta conference promises to be more than a scholarly event. It is a dialogue between monastic tradition, modern wine science, and the identity of territories. Vittorio Moretti, Renzo Cotarella of Marchesi Antinori, viticulture expert Attilio Scienza, and representatives of historic abbeys such as Praglia, Novacella, Monte Oliveto Maggiore, and Muri-Gries will share the stage. Moderated by RAI journalist Rocco Tolfa, the discussion will explore how abbeys safeguarded landscapes, passed down agricultural wisdom, and maintained the spiritual essence of place.
The choice of venue is equally symbolic. The Convent of the Annunciata is not only a center of architectural and spiritual heritage but also a restored community space. Since 2018, the Moretti Foundation has managed the convent, preserving its role as a cultural hub and place of hospitality. As Carlo Petrini once noted, such spaces remind us that beauty and community are inseparable.
Lessons from Fossanova
The Franciacorta meeting follows the June 2025 edition of Vini d’Abbazia, held at the Abbey of Fossanova in Lazio. That gathering attracted more than 4,000 visitors and featured over 30 abbey wineries alongside cultural debates and masterclasses. The setting, a Cistercian Gothic complex where Saint Thomas Aquinas spent his final days, underscored the deep bond between wine and spirituality.
Masterclasses explored themes such as Cesanese, the “wine of the Popes,” the revival of amphora winemaking, and the legacy of Roman viticulture. Others looked at sparkling wines, wine tourism, and the female perspective in Italian wine. Each session demonstrated how tradition can inspire innovation. Amphorae, for example, once used by ancient Romans, are now embraced by contemporary producers eager to express terroir authentically.
Abbeys as Custodians of Identity
Abbeys have always been more than religious centers. They acted as custodians of agricultural landscapes and innovators in viticulture. The Franciacorta conference will stress how these institutions safeguarded biodiversity, introduced vineyard techniques, and created wines that became symbols of entire regions.
The Abbey of Novacella in Alto Adige, the Benedictine Abbey of Muri-Gries in Bolzano, and Tuscany’s Badia a Passignano illustrate this continuity. Each site preserves centuries-old traditions while producing wines that reflect both spirituality and science. Their stories demonstrate how abbeys merge contemplation with cultivation, producing wines that embody place and time.
Wine, Territory, and Spirituality
Italian abbey wines reveal how deeply intertwined wine is with the idea of territory. During the Fossanova edition, Lazio regional officials stressed that abbey wines embody not only agriculture but also identity, culture, and community development. Wine is both a narrative tool and a unifying force, capable of regenerating rural areas and encouraging sustainable tourism.
This idea of wine as a cultural messenger aligns perfectly with the goals of Live in Italy Magazine. Our mission is to uncover experiences that move beyond the obvious and reflect authentic Italian heritage. Abbeys, with their millennial role in cultivating vines and culture, stand as guardians of this heritage.
Innovation Rooted in Tradition
While abbey wines are rooted in history, they are not relics. Producers connected to abbeys are leading experiments in sustainability, amphora vinification, and biodiversity. Their wines combine modern techniques with respect for ancient knowledge. The result is innovation that never loses sight of identity.
Conversations at both Fossanova and Franciacorta highlight how abbeys continue to influence Italy’s wine future. Whether through education, partnerships with universities, or collaborations with regional consortia, abbeys remain active in shaping how Italian wine is understood and experienced.
An Open Invitation
The Franciacorta conference on October 4 will include a walk-around tasting curated by AIS Lombardia, allowing guests to sample wines from abbeys across Italy and beyond. It is free to attend with reservation, offering a rare opportunity to experience centuries of history in a single glass.
This event is also part of a larger open day titled Come in famiglia, organized by the Moretti Foundation. From nature walks to workshops and readings, the day will restore the convent’s role as a living space where culture, spirituality, and community converge.
Looking Ahead: From Abbey Wines to Our Wine Guide
The Culture of Wine and the Identity of Territories is more than an academic theme. It is an invitation to travel through Italy’s landscapes, to taste wines that embody memory, and to see abbeys as living centers of innovation.As we prepare to release our 2nd Annual Wine Guide in November, this exploration of abbey wines is a timely reminder that wine is not only about enjoyment but about identity. To taste these wines is to connect with the soul of the land, past and present.
For more information about The Culture of Wine and the Identity of Territories on October 4th, organized by Vini d’Abbazia, visit their website.
