New Clairvaux Vineyard (www.newclairvauxvineyard.com)
The Abbey of New Clairvaux is the first Cistercian Monastery in the Americas to grow, vinify and bottle its own wine. Their monastic and viticultural traditions reach back to the 12th century with renowned Cistercian Vineyards, such as Clos de Vougeot in Burgundy and Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau.
Today the dedicated labor of the Abbey's Trappist monks and the skilled hands of a fifth generation winemaker, bring together the traditions of European grapegrowing and winemaking.
THE LAND: VINA, CA
Although Peter Lassen planted the first vineyard in 1846, Vina was named in honor of the grapes later cultivated by Henry Gerke. During the expansion of the first transcontinental railroad, Leland Stanford discovered Gerke's ranch and purchased it in 1881. Stanford immediately began to expand, creating the largest winery and vineyard in the world.
Stanford's Great Vina Ranch grew to 55,000 acres with 4,000 acres planted in winegrapes. In 1915, a fire destroyed the state of the art fermentation building and with Stanford having passed away in 1893, the difficult decision to continue operations was left to Stanford University. With increasing pressure from the temperance movement, Stanford University decided to close the winery and by the following winter all the vines were removed. In 1919, the Great Vina Ranch was closed and the property sold off.
In 2000, the monks of New Clairvaux and the Sunseri family revitalized the almost lost viticultural area by each planting a vineyard. Together they have returned Stanford's 100 year old brick wine cellar to its original purpose. And by combining their vision and passion for wine and history, they bring to you New Clairvaux Vineyard.
Today the dedicated labor of the Abbey's Trappist monks and the skilled hands of a fifth generation winemaker, bring together the traditions of European grapegrowing and winemaking.
THE LAND: VINA, CA
Although Peter Lassen planted the first vineyard in 1846, Vina was named in honor of the grapes later cultivated by Henry Gerke. During the expansion of the first transcontinental railroad, Leland Stanford discovered Gerke's ranch and purchased it in 1881. Stanford immediately began to expand, creating the largest winery and vineyard in the world.
Stanford's Great Vina Ranch grew to 55,000 acres with 4,000 acres planted in winegrapes. In 1915, a fire destroyed the state of the art fermentation building and with Stanford having passed away in 1893, the difficult decision to continue operations was left to Stanford University. With increasing pressure from the temperance movement, Stanford University decided to close the winery and by the following winter all the vines were removed. In 1919, the Great Vina Ranch was closed and the property sold off.
In 2000, the monks of New Clairvaux and the Sunseri family revitalized the almost lost viticultural area by each planting a vineyard. Together they have returned Stanford's 100 year old brick wine cellar to its original purpose. And by combining their vision and passion for wine and history, they bring to you New Clairvaux Vineyard.
The Winemaker: Aimée Sunseri
Helping with the first vineyard plantings in 2000, Aimée Sunseri has been an influential part of the winery since the beginning. In 2003, she graduated from the University of California, Davis with honors from the Viticulture and Enology department. During her studies, she worked with the monks in the vineyards and for her families' wineries: the Nichelini Winery in St. Helena and the Boeger Winery in Placerville. Aimée has embraced the opportunity to not only continue her family tradition but is also helping to rebuild Vina's wine legacy with the monks of New Clairvaux.
