Abbazia Di Novacella Pinot Noir
Alpine Pinot Nero from a monastery that has farmed since 1142.
The story behind Abbazia Di Novacella
The Augustinian Canons Regular founded Abbazia di Novacella in 1142, when Blessed Hartmann of Brixen set the monastery in the Isarco Valley of Alto Adige, Italy's northernmost winegrowing region. Nearly nine centuries later, it is still a working abbey and still estate bottling. The whites come off the steep slopes around the cloister. The Pinot Nero comes from further south, on the Marklhof estate in Cornaiano, where vines sit 350 to 420 meters up on morainic soil over porphyritic bedrock.
Fermentation and skin contact run about 15 days in temperature controlled stainless steel punch down tanks, followed by full malolactic and six months in large 30 to 60 hectoliter oak casks. Big wood, low toast, fruit left intact. The estate's longtime enologist Celestino Lucin was named Gambero Rosso Winemaker of the Year in 2009.
Explore the Abbazia Di Novacella range
Two expressions of Pinot Nero come out of Cornaiano: the classic DOC bottling we stock, and the single vineyard Riserva Vigna Oberhof for longer aging.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinot Nero DOC | Red, 100% Pinot Nero | 13.0% to 13.5% ABV | Cranberry, pomegranate, tart cherry, forest floor |
| Pinot Nero DOC | Alto Adige DOC | 13.0% to 13.5% ABV | Light to medium body, bright alpine acidity |
| Pinot Nero DOC | Stainless ferment, large cask | 13.0% to 13.5% ABV | Six months in 30 to 60 hl oak |
| Pinot Noir Riserva Vigna Oberhof | Single vineyard Riserva | 13.5% ABV | Low yield, built for cellaring |
| Kerner | White, Alto Adige | Not stated | Aromatic alpine white, abbey classic |
| Pinot Grigio | White, Alto Adige | Not stated | Crisp, mineral, monastery slopes |
Which Abbazia Di Novacella is right for you?
The Abbazia di Novacella Pinot Nero 750mL runs $24.97 on our shelf, which lands it in the $24 to $34 tier the classic DOC bottling typically occupies. For a monastery wine with 880 plus years behind it, that is quiet value. The Kerner and Pinot Grigio both sit at $19.99 if you want to build a mixed case around it. Stock moves fast on this label, so call ahead or check the page before you drive over.
Light enough for Tuesday, serious enough that you slow down.
Alpine acidity and modest oak give it room to age a few years.
Same abbey, same alpine snap, a gentler step into their range.