Since the 12th century, the Benedictines have enjoyed home-made wine from their Santa Anastasia Abbey near Cefalù (northern coast of Sicily). Francesco Lena, contractor and owner of the Abbazia, has realized an ambitious and unique project here and created a first-class example of wines. The abbey has been renovated and converted into a pretty hotel. The adjacent winery receives the grapes from the spacious surrounding vineyards, which round off this magnificent property. What is possible in southern Italy becomes very clear here. Together with Giacomo Tachis, arguably Italy's most talented oenologist, he searched for sophisticated combinations of old local grapes with suitable European varieties. At the Montenero location, Nero meets d'Avola on Cabernet Franc, so that a modern wine with a wonderful breed and richness thrives here. From 2000, the entire production of the Abbazia was organic switched over and the wines have since made a real quantum leap in quality.