SINT CATHARINADAL

Winemaker:  Andries Burger (past)
Growing:  Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Auxerrois, Gamay
Established:  2014
Bottles:  40,000
Region:  Noord Brabant, Netherlands

Founded in the year 1271, Sint-Catharinadal is the oldest surviving monastic community in the Netherlands. Today the nunnery is located just outside of Breda, in the town of Oosterhout. 

Undeterred by declining church participation, the sisters planted a vineyard in 2014 in order to generate income for the preservation of the monastery. Then they set about converting their old cowshed into a winery before the completion of their first harvest in 2017. 

It’s a new idea. But, with the help of local volunteers and some kind of divine assistance, the sisters plan to increase production to 40,000 bottles within the next few years.