New Clairvaux, Monastic Wine in Northern California So what does a group of Trappist Monks, a winery (once the largest in the world), eight centuries of viticulture and winemaking, a fifth generation California winemaker and an 800 year old Spanish chapel have in common?  The town of Vina finds itself at a juncture of centuries of monastic wine history, a railroad magnate and one of California’s most colorful publishing empire's founder as well as one of its oldest winemaking families.  The threads of this story all started separately on different continents and in different centuries, but have come to final closure in a beautiful field lined with century old walnut trees in the Northern Sacramento Valley.

As you exit Highway 99 at the Vina exit follow the signs directing you to the winery.  When the road takes a sharp left, continue straight on to a small road until you see the sign for New Clairvaux. It was a damp spring day when we arrived with everything covered in that beautiful fresh green growth. As we rounded a blind turn in the narrow road the brush on the sides opened up to reveal a picturesque pond surrounded by cattails and water iris.  As we passed through the gates to the meticulously maintained grounds it was obvious that whoever cares for this land has a deep love of this place. As we drove further we passed the impressive brick winery building and turned right to the tasting room, located at the far north end of the building. 

Even though it was a damp day the tasting room had several people trying the only monastic wines produced in the Americas today.  It was an impressive site seeing the brothers and the tasting room staff working together to help the guests explore their enchanting wines.  As we tasted our host shared with us a fascinating story of how religion and wine history converged on this beautiful spot to find a fitting end to so many journeys begun so long ago….. Continued ...