The Abbey of New Clairvaux - Vina, CA
New Clairvaux Vineyard – Rich in California History
Tucked away in Vina, California, you’ll find a little slice of heaven that most people don’t even know exists. Let’s set the scene; a long dirt road leads you to one of the most unique winery destinations to exist. The birds are chirping, the crisp air has a faint smell of ripe wine grapes, and the bell of the church rings in the background. This is the New Clairvaux Vineyard.
The land where the New Clairvaux Winery is located has always been a noble destination rich in history. It once belonged to California Governor, Leland Stanford, who transformed the property into the world’s largest wine operation at the time. Labeled as “The Great Vina Ranch,” the vines sprawled across 4,000 acres and had an annual production of two million gallons.
The land was sold off in 1919, and later in 1955, about 600 acres of this prized ranch were purchased by Trappist-Cistercian monks of Kentucky. When the brothers arrived in Tehama County, they were confident “The Great Vina Ranch” would serve them well, both financially and in their faith.
“We wanted to continue the legacy, not only of Leland Stanford but also the other two owners at the time, especially the Flynn family that we bought it from,” said Father Placid, Abbey Ranch secretary/treasurer.
The brothers are guided by the seminary rule and the Cistercian monastery philosophy, meaning they are dedicated to labor and prayer every day, so when they aren’t praying, you can often find them tending to the crops grown at the farm. Known as the “Abbey of New Clairvaux,” the farm produces walnuts, prunes, tomatoes, and wine grapes.
The walnuts are sent to a processor, and the prunes are sold to Sunsweet, but the wine grapes, in particular, are a special project for the brothers. They are sold to the New Clairvaux Winery through a 50/50 partnership, and the monastery works with a fifth-generation Napa winemaker to turn their grapes into wine on-site.
Since planting their first vine 23 years ago, the operation has grown significantly in size, where they now grow 15 different varietals on 15 acres, all managed and processed by the brothers. The wine is available for tasting and purchase at the winery’s tasting room on-site and is also served at mass daily. The New Clairvaux wines have also made a name for themselves in the wine world, earning international and national awards.
Keeping this valuable piece of property in pristine condition is of the utmost importance for the Abbey Ranch and New Clairvaux communities, which is why they decided to transition the vines to organic a few years ago.
In addition to being certified organic, the ranch also emphasizes conserving water and electricity. They have implemented micro-sprinkler systems to ensure there isn’t a single drop of water wasted on the farm, and they also have a solar facility, which allows them to be free from the grid, and any excess power that is produced is sent back to the power grid.
“Creation is sacred, and we are co-creators and co-stewards of this creation with God,” said Brother Luis Cortez, vineyard manager at Abbey Ranch. “It’s a great honor to have this opportunity to take care of the land not for only our sake but for the sake of all our community and all the members of humanity.”
With today’s markets and increased inflation, keeping up with operations can be difficult, but with the help of Golden State Farm Credit, New Clairvaux will be able to keep the farm viable and thriving for generations to come.
Not only is New Clairvaux’s winemaking property one of the most historic in the world, but the one-of-a-kind experience it provides to all guests is a true gem in Northern California, and that’s something Golden State Farm Credit is proud to be involved in.
“The seamless experience and customer service given by Golden State Farm Credit is also something that has been greatly appreciated,” Father Placid said. The Abbey Ranch operation is one that is incredibly unique, yet Golden State Farm Credit understands its business and serves its needs.
“We weren’t sure what we were getting ourselves into doing a line of credit because normally that’s not what we do as monks,” said Father Placid. “But I would say without Golden State Farm Credit, we would not be able to string along our operations as best as we can.”