If you wish to experience and drink Venice with the wines of its territory, there is nothing more important than the vineyards within the confines of the city.

If you wish to truly know Venice and fully appreciate the pleasures hidden in its famous narrow streets, there is nothing more representative than the vineyards hidden within the city’s confines.

The majestic Church of Santa Maria di Nazareth and the attached convent of the Discalced Carmelites rises just a few steps away from the Santa Lucia railroad station. Here the monks cultivate twenty or so grape varieties recovered from the territory of the lagoon in order to protect and preserve the viticultural bio-diversity of Venice. A special place, full of peace and symbols where it is possible to discover how DOC Venezia vines have come back to life.

Each and every plant, from the aromatic herbs to the vine, has been assigned its specific place according to a project-design based on the New and Old Testaments and the dichotomy between earthly and divine life.

The church of Santa Maria di Nazareth goes all the way back to the year 1608 and dominates its stretch of the Grand Canal. It hosts the community of the Carmelite brothers who dedicate themselves, with passion, to the maintenance of the entire complex. The name “Carmelites” comes from the Greek word “Karmel” which, in addition to signifying the mountain where this religious order was founded, also means “garden”.

The Consortium of Vini Venezia discovered some years ago that this ancient walled garden had an old vineyard. After thorough and in depth research into the grape varieties which were present, other local varieties to plant were also identified in order to create a true and authentic garden of bio-diversity.

Entering through the shop where the brothers sell the natural products realized within the walls of the convent, it is now possible to admire the courtyard, which gives onto the ancient walled garden. The guided visits can be reserved throughout the year, but we recommend the period from April to October, the latter the moment in which the grapes reach full ripeness, the harvest begins, and the colors become brilliant and intense.

One of the two vineyards which the Consortium Vini Venezia has planted is in the heart of the island of Torcello and gathers together all of the grape varieties which are present in the city on the lagoon.

The result: a collection of vines, an open air genetic bank immersed in the beauties of the lagoon and the island of Torcello.

Amidst ancient ruins, tumble-down churches, gardens, and “barene”, parts of the island which emerge or are submerged with low or high tides.

The vineyard grows vigorously, thrives in an atmosphere which can only be called paradisiac.

The terrain has been graciously ceded by the Baslini family, which has understood the importance of the project and fully believed in it.