Vini d’Abbazia is back

The fourth edition of Vini d'Abbazia will be held from June 6 to 8, 2025, in the historic setting of the Fossanova Abbey in Priverno, in the Lazio region of Italy. The event is dedicated to the centuries-old relationship between monastic life and viticulture and is now an established gathering point for Italian and international abbey wine producers, as well as secular wineries connected to monastic heritage.

This year's program is part of "Le Vie del Giubileo," a regional initiative promoted by Regione Lazio and ARSIAL in the lead-up to the 2025 Holy Year. Over three days, the cloister of Fossanova Abbey will host wine tastings from more than 30 wineries, with participation from abbey-linked producers from Italy, France, Georgia, and Belgium. Daily tastings will run from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM, paired with regional cuisine from the Food & Wine Village. The event also includes public talks, debates, and six masterclasses conducted by wine experts, critics, and journalists.

Among the international participants are members of the French Les Vins d'Abbayes network and the Georgian Monastero di Alaverdi – Badagoni, one of the oldest Orthodox Christian winemaking sites in the world. Italian participants include abbeys such as Novacella, Praglia, and Monte Oliveto Maggiore, alongside wineries like Badia a Passignano – Marchesi Antinori and Arnaldo Caprai.

Institutional support for the event is significant. Giancarlo Righini, Councillor of Regione Lazio, called Vini d'Abbazia a showcase of the region's agricultural and cultural heritage. ARSIAL Commissioner Massimiliano Raffa highlighted the event's alignment with "Le Vie del Giubileo," emphasizing collaboration across public and private sectors. Giovanni Acampora, President of the Camera di Commercio Frosinone-Latina, described it as a model of institutional and territorial cooperation aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and regional identity.

The event opens on Friday, June 6 at 5:30 PM with a conference titled "Custodians of the Vine: Monks and the Culture of Wine," hosted in the Infermeria del Borgo di Fossanova. Speakers include representatives from abbeys in Italy and a welcome address by Father Andrea David of Fossanova. On Saturday morning, the agenda continues with a workshop for young entrepreneurs on cooperation in wine and tourism. Later that day, a panel discussion will address strategies for integrated territorial growth, bringing together religious, academic, and economic voices. The final panel on Sunday, June 8 will focus on women's contributions to wine, featuring leading female professionals in the industry.

Six masterclasses will be held in the abbey's refectory. These begin with a session on Cesanese, a traditional Lazio grape, led by Andrea Amadei of Rai Radio 2. Other topics include sparkling wine, ancient Roman viticulture, amphora aging, wine tourism, and the role of women in contemporary Italian winemaking. Participants include Chiara Giovoni, Cristina Mercuri, Simona Geri, Chiara Giorleo, and Manuela Zennaro.

Vini d'Abbazia was conceived by journalist Rocco Tolfa and is organized by a consortium including Regione Lazio, ARSIAL, Camera di Commercio Frosinone-Latina, and the municipality of Priverno. The event is supported by a range of private and institutional partners, including BCC Roma, Slow Food Lazio, and Associazione Nazionale Le Donne del Vino.

The venue, Fossanova Abbey, dates back to the 12th century and is one of Italy's most important Cistercian Gothic monuments. It is also where Saint Thomas Aquinas spent his final days in 1274. For three days in June, the abbey becomes a meeting point for culture, faith, and wine, reinforcing Lazio's growing position as a destination for wine tourism.