Conference Abbey Wines in Franciacorta

Conference Abbey Wines in Franciacorta: “Wine culture and the identity of territories: the work of abbeys. Tradition, spirituality and winemaking innovation between past, present and future.

The Vittorio and Mariella Moretti Foundation will host, at the evocative Convent of Santissima Annunciata in Franciacorta, the conference “Wine culture and the identity of territories: the work of abbeys,” organized by Abbey Wines and scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.

The appointment promises to be a moment of professional discussion on the theme of the link between wine culture and territory, focusing on the historical and contemporary role of abbeys in the enhancement of the landscape, the dissemination of agricultural knowledge and the custody of the spirit of places. Tradition, spirituality and innovation will be the keys to interpreting a day that intends to restore value to a shared heritage deeply rooted in Italian history and, in particular, in that of the Franciacorta territory, which owes its orientation to a viticulture of excellence precisely to the work of the abbeys.

The Convent of the Most Holy Annunciation

The choice of the Convent of the Santissima Annunciata as the venue for the conference is deeply symbolic: a place of great historical, spiritual and architectural value, since 2018 it has been entrusted by the Order of the Servants of Mary to the Vittorio and Mariella Moretti Foundation, which has taken on the commitment to take care of its management and return it to the community as a center of culture and hospitality. As stated by Carlo Petrini, who participated in the formalization of the delegation by the Friars to the VMM Foundation: ” The Convent of the Santissima Annunciata is to be a place of community, a space where the beautiful and the good coincide. A common good returned to the area through the vision and generosity of those who care for it “.

Speakers

The conference will feature speakers from the monastic, academic and business worlds including:

• Vittorio Moretti, President of the Vittorio and Mariella Moretti Foundation
• Renzo Cotarella, CEO of Marchesi Antinori and production manager of Badia a Passignano [Florence].
• Attilio Scienza, Professor of Viticulture, University of Milan
• Don Andrea Santus, Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore [Siena].
• Father Stefano Visintin, Praglia Abbey [Padua].
• Werner Waldboth, Director of Sales & Marketing Abbey of Novacella [Bolzano].
• Manfred Bernard, winemaker in charge of the winery at the Benedictine Convent of Muri-Gries [Bolzano].
• Father Luigi Cavagna, Franciscan Convent Rodengo Saiano [Brescia], Rector Academy Symposium
• Brother Michele Badino, Monastery of Bose [Assisi].

Key institutional authorities will also be involved: the Minister of Agriculture, the Regional Minister of Agriculture, the Mayors of Franciacorta, representatives of Coldiretti, AIS Lombardia, Consorzio della Franciacorta and Strada del Vino della Franciacorta. Rocco Tolfa, RAI journalist, will coordinate the conference.

Tasting of a selection of Abbey wines

At the end of the meeting it will be possible to taste a selection of wines from the abbeys present through tasting benches curated by Ais Lombardia. An opportunity to discover ancient winemaking traditions and meet those who still preserve them today.

How to participate

The conference is free admission, by reservation only and subject to availability. Information and detailed program are available at https://vinidabbazia.com/la-cultura-del-vino-e-lidentita-dei-territori-lopera-delle-abbazie/

The initiative is part of the busy program of events organized on the same day by the Vittorio and Mariella Moretti Foundation. An open day – from 8 a.m. until midnight – at the Convento dell’Annunciata entitled “Come in famiglia,” to be together among nature trails, workshops, readings and meetings. To give back to this ancient place its dimension of a living and open space, where culture, nature, spirituality and sense of community can intertwine in an authentic way. The event has received the patronage of the Fondazione Italia Patria della Bellezza, created with the aim of promoting initiatives that “focus on the value of beauty, Italy’s true talent.”

Program of the day at www.fvmm.it