Many Roman Catholic religious orders owned extensive vineyards. The monastic business was often based on professionally run viticulture. These orders contributed significantly to the development of viticulture in many countries in Europe and also in the New World. Among the best known and most important in terms of viticulture are those of the Benedictines, Carthusians and Cistercians. See also Eucharist, Church and Mass wine.
The picture above shows the famous Benedictine abbey of Saint Pierre d'Hautvillers in Champagne, where the famous monk Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638-1715), who is credited with the invention of champagne, worked. The picture below shows Heiligenkreuz Abbey in the Wienerwald in Lower Austria, which was founded in 1133 by the Cistercian Order. They also founded the Freigut Thallern winery, one of the oldest in Austria, near the well-known wine-growing community of Gumpoldskirchen in the wine-growing region of Thermenregion. The Order still runs it today.
![]()
As honorary chairman of the Domäne Wachau, it is the easiest and quickest way for me to access the wein.plus encyclopaedia when I have questions. The certainty of receiving well-founded and up-to-date information here makes it an indispensable guide.
Hans-Georg Schwarz
Ehrenobmann der Domäne Wachau (Wachau)