The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Fidélité in Jouques has gained international recognition for its Gregorian chant app, Neumz, and its exceptional local products, particularly Provence wines. This Benedictine community of 45 nuns, founded in 1967, operates on the principles of prayer and work. Their 150-acre estate in the Provence region includes vast fields of fruit, olive trees, lavender, and vineyards, producing oils, jams, honey, and, notably, wine. The nuns sell these products directly from their store and online, maintaining the tradition of monastic entrepreneurship.
The Vineyard’s History and Production
The nuns initially restored abandoned vineyards upon their arrival, and in 2005, the first bottles of wine were marketed. Their iconic Louange wine, made from Syrah and Grenache vines, has earned acclaim for its deep color and ripe fruit flavors. In 2017, they expanded to rosé wine production, introducing Exsulta in 2020. This rosé, made from Grenache, Syrah, and Caladoc, reflects Provence’s winemaking heritage.
Craftsmanship and Faith
The nuns’ winemaking process is meticulously executed, from harvesting grapes to overseeing the wine’s final bottling. They believe their wine symbolizes a communion between God’s gifts and human labor. Their work, intertwined with their spiritual lives, exemplifies how faith and craftsmanship meet in the beauty of their wine.
The sisters balance their spiritual duties with their agricultural and winemaking work, combining devotion with entrepreneurship. The Abbey’s wines, which carry deep liturgical symbolism, have begun to attract attention, particularly in the U.S.
Source:
Gregorian Chant and Wine Is a Fruitful Pairing for These French Nuns
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