“We read however that wine absolutely does not suit friars, but as they themselves do not believe that in these days, either --- we think that one gulp of wine a day is enough.”  (from the rule by Saint Benedict of Norcia, 450-545)

MA Rev. Benno Malfèr is abbot of the monastery of Muri-Gries since 1991.

Already 1500 years ago, Benedict  from Norcia, who founded the abbey of Monte Cassino, considered wine and its use very important topics to discuss about. Nothing has changed since then.

Wine is connected pretty closely to monastery life, even because of its religious-liturgic use. The Holy Bible itself often refers to wine, for example in Psalm 104. There God is praised, because he makes good things thrive as well as “wine, which cheers up people’s spirits.” Wine has been playing an important function within the jew-christian tradition since then. As a matter of fact, the divine service requires explicitly the use of wine.

Besides, wine gives a refreshing wholesome effect, provided it is drunk in reasonable amounts. Besides, it has always been a traditional every-day beverage and monasteries very much helped wine spread all over central and southern Europe.
 Since its foundation, Muri-Gries has applied to this tradition and its staff feel responsible for looking after the vineyards, which have been entrusted to them for hundreds of years, and for running this company very carefully. Muri-Gries bets on the possibility to make its own wine following clearly all its processing phases step by step: from the vineyard into the cellar and from its pressing in barrels until its bottling. That is what Muri-Gries has always been aiming at and it will do it for good.

 The people from Muri-Gries are glad that their brands enjoy first-rate consideration. This reward ensues however both a task and a duty for them. That is to continue a tradition, which has lasted for centuries and all this with hard work, carefulness and enthusiasm.