See under Monasteries.
Many Roman Catholic religious communities owned extensive vineyards. The monastery operations were often based on professional viticulture. These orders contributed significantly to the development of viticulture in many European countries and also in the New World. The Benedictine, Carthusian and Cistercian orders are among the best known and most important in terms of viticulture. See also Eucharist, Church and Mass wine.
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Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)