Tradition, Spirituality and Oenological Innovation between Past, Present and Future
Convent of the Santissima Annunciata, Franciacorta (Italy) – October 4 2025.
September 19, 2025 (Rovato – Brescia, Italy) — The Vittorio and Mariella Moretti Foundation will host the conference “The Culture of Wine and the Identity of Territories: The Work of Abbeys”, organized by Vini d’Abbazia, on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 11:30 AM, at the evocative Convent of the Santissima Annunciata in Franciacorta.
The event will be a key opportunity for professional dialogue on the deep connection between wine culture and the land, focusing in particular on the historical and contemporary role of abbeys in preserving landscapes, spreading agricultural knowledge, and safeguarding the spiritual essence of place. Tradition, spirituality and innovation will be the lenses through which to explore a shared heritage that runs deep through Italian history— especially in Franciacorta, a region whose path toward wine excellence owes much to the early work of monastic communities.
The conference will welcome speakers from the monastic, academic and wine-producing sectors, including:
Vittorio Moretti, President of Vittorio and Mariella Moretti Foundation
Renzo Cotarella, CEO of Marchesi Antinori and Head of Production at Badia a Passignano [Florence]
Attilio Scienza, Professor of Viticulture at University of Milan
Don Andrea Santus, Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore [Siena]
Father Stefano Visintin, Abbey of Praglia [Padua]
Werner Waldboth, Sales & Marketing Director Abbey of Novacella [Bolzano]
Manfred Bernard, Winemaker at the Benedictine Abbey of Muri-Gries [Bolzano]
Father Luigi Cavagna, Franciscan Convent of Rodengo Saiano [Brescia], Rector of Accademia Symposium
Brother Michele Badino, Monastery of Bose [Assisi]
Also in attendance will be key institutional representatives: Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, the Regional Councillor for Agriculture, the Mayors of Franciacorta, and delegates from Coldiretti, AIS Lombardia, the Franciacorta Consortium and “Strada del Vino della Franciacorta” (Franciacorta Wine Route).
The conference will be moderated by Rocco Tolfa, journalist at RAI.
Following the discussion, guests will have the opportunity to taste a selection of wines from the abbeys present at the event, thanks to a walk-around tasting curated by Ais Lombardia. A unique occasion to explore centuries-old wine traditions and meet the people who continue to preserve them today.
The choice of the Convent of the Santissima Annunciata as the venue is deeply symbolic: a place of extraordinary 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 undertaken the commitment to oversee its management and restore it to the community as a center of culture and hospitality. As stated by Carlo Petrini, who participated in the official transfer of responsibility from the Friars to the VMM Foundation: «The Convent of the Santissima Annunciata must be a place of community, a space where beauty and goodness converge. A common good restored to the territory through the vision and generosity of those who care for it. »
The conference is free admission, by reservation and subject to availability. Information and detailed program are available on the website https://vinidabbazia.com/la-cultura-del-vino-e-lidentita-dei-territori-lopera-delle-abbazie/
The initiative is part of the rich program of events organized on the same day by the Vittorio and Mariella Moretti Foundation. An open day – from 8:00 AM to midnight – at the Convent of the Annunciata entitled “Come in famiglia” (like being with family), to come together through nature walks, workshops, readings and meetings. To restore to this ancient place its dimension as a living and open space, where culture, nature, spirituality and sense of community can authentically interweave. The event has received the patronage of the “Italia Patria della Bellezza”Foundation, established with the purpose of promoting initiatives that “place at the center the value of beauty, Italy’s true talent.“
Daily program at www.fvmm.it
