REGION: Umbria

With the assistance Giampiero Bea of Paolo Bea, the nuns of Monastero Suore Cistercensi organically farm five hectares of vines in Vitorchiano in the Lazio district. They use only estate fruit, working mostly with Malvasia, Trebbiano, and Verdicchio - all hand harvested and grown on volcanic soil.

Paolo Bea is a founding father of the natural wine movement in Italy -- the mainstream use of organic and biodynamic farming, aging in clay amphorae and non-interventionist winemaking is traced back to him! The Paolo Bea winery is based in Montefalco and is run by his two sons.