New Clairvaux Vineyard
The estate vineyards of New Clairvaux were first planted in the year 2000 and marked the first step towards creating our wines. Initially there were a total of seven acres of winegrapes planted. Half of the ten different varietals were planted at the Abbey in what was blessed and named the St. James Block. This vineyard was originally planted with Syrah, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Graciano and Albarino. It is located in Vina’s most famous soil, the Vina Loam. The soil here is so extraordinary that once the vineyard was established, there has been no need for irrigation.
The other half of vines were planted in what we call our sister vineyard, which is about 5 miles from the Abbey. It was chosen for its unique rocky and sandy soils, with a hint of that wonderful Vina Loam. Several different varietals were chosen for this site, including Petite Sirah, Barbera, Zinfandel, Trebbiano, Viognier and Muscat Blanc. This vineyard was blessed and named the Poor Souls Block because of the difficulty and struggle of getting the vineyard planted and established. Irrigation practices have continued to be a necessity on this site.
Since the beginning there has been an expansion in each of these vineyards. The first expansion was in the St. James Block where white grapes grow exceptionally well. Two white varietals--French Viognier and Spanish Albariño-- were planted in 2005 as part of a 2.5 acre expansion. Thus, this three and a half acre vineyard became six acres.
The Poor Souls Block’s expansion happened in 2008, where more of the French Petite Sirah and Italian Barbera varieties were planted. This original three and half acre vineyard is now seven acres large, raising the total production of New Clairvaux’s vineyards to thirteen acres.
These two vineyard sites are ideally situated to provide optimal growing conditions for each of its varieties. They are hand farmed, with sustainability being the core of the farming practices. Br. Rafael compliments the fruit of the St. James Block with his great attention to detail and care as Vineyard Manager. The Poor Souls Block is monitored carefully by the winemaker, Aimee Sunseri. With her expertise in Viticulture as well as Enology, and Br. Rafael’s innate passion for farming they bring this Vina fruit to its full potential in each New Clairvaux vintage.
The other half of vines were planted in what we call our sister vineyard, which is about 5 miles from the Abbey. It was chosen for its unique rocky and sandy soils, with a hint of that wonderful Vina Loam. Several different varietals were chosen for this site, including Petite Sirah, Barbera, Zinfandel, Trebbiano, Viognier and Muscat Blanc. This vineyard was blessed and named the Poor Souls Block because of the difficulty and struggle of getting the vineyard planted and established. Irrigation practices have continued to be a necessity on this site.
Since the beginning there has been an expansion in each of these vineyards. The first expansion was in the St. James Block where white grapes grow exceptionally well. Two white varietals--French Viognier and Spanish Albariño-- were planted in 2005 as part of a 2.5 acre expansion. Thus, this three and a half acre vineyard became six acres.
The Poor Souls Block’s expansion happened in 2008, where more of the French Petite Sirah and Italian Barbera varieties were planted. This original three and half acre vineyard is now seven acres large, raising the total production of New Clairvaux’s vineyards to thirteen acres.
These two vineyard sites are ideally situated to provide optimal growing conditions for each of its varieties. They are hand farmed, with sustainability being the core of the farming practices. Br. Rafael compliments the fruit of the St. James Block with his great attention to detail and care as Vineyard Manager. The Poor Souls Block is monitored carefully by the winemaker, Aimee Sunseri. With her expertise in Viticulture as well as Enology, and Br. Rafael’s innate passion for farming they bring this Vina fruit to its full potential in each New Clairvaux vintage.
