"Aromas of lychee, honeydew melon and citrus blossom form the fragrant nose also sage. Rounded, enveloping and savory, the smooth palate features ripe white peach, cantaloupe and orange drop before a saline close." -Kerin O'Keefe

"This strikes a lovely balance between herbs and just-ripe citrus and stone fruit. Its medium-bodied with sleek layers of lime zest, green apples, hints of white pepper, thyme and apricot stones, persisting on a long and clean finish. Drink or hold." -James Suckling

Abbazia di Novacella
Located in the sleepy little burg of Novacella, in the Isarco River Valley, Abbazia was founded in 1142 by the Augustinian Order of Canons Regular. The Augustians are not monks in the sense that you may be familiar with: they have taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to their superiors; but they also work to support themselves as a part of their community. To this end, the Abbey not only grows grapes for winemaking, but also farms apples and vegetables, and there is a small school devoted primarily to studies of viticulture. The abbey's reputation as a winery is stellar and international. In 2009, Italy's influential Gambero Rosso named Celestino Lucin, the abbey's enologist, Winemaker of the Year.

The Praepositus line represents the absolute best expression of Abbazia's vineyards. They are not single-vineyard wines, but selections of the best fruit from the best sites.

The Abbazia di Novacella winery (pictured above) is among the oldest active wineries in the world.