At the monastery of the Protection of the Mother of God of Solan, in La Bastide-d’Engras, the days follow one another between Orthodox liturgy and rows of vines lined up on the slopes of Gard. This spring, a central link in this organization came to a complete halt: the wine tractor, in service for seventeen years, broke down in the middle of 5 hectares of organic vines. For these twenty sisters who live off the land, the machine stopping means piling up work, delayed treatments, and additional fatigue. It remains to find how to replace it without giving up their way of life.
The nuns decided to rely on what they do best: their organic wine. Until June 28, 2026, they are organizing a major online sale of their vintages, with a very concrete objective: to sell at least 5,000 bottles to finance part of a new tractor. A campaign that relies on the specialized Divine Box platform and the monastery store, to transform each order into a material boost.
Solan Monastery: an organic vineyard that supports twenty sisters
Established in Gard since 1992, Solan’s sisters made the choice of everything organic upon their arrival. , explains Sister Iossifia to France 3 Occitanie. The estate extends over around sixty hectares mixing woods, scrubland and agricultural land, including 5 hectares of vines which today represent the main source of income for the community.
The nuns voluntarily live simply, but must assume very concrete responsibilities. , recalls Sister Iossifia. She emphasizes that for the community, it remains essential to live from the fruit of one’s work, without depending on permanent subsidies. This organic vineyard, worked by hand and with few inputs, finances daily life such as the maintenance of agricultural equipment.
Why the Solan sisters’ tractor is essential to their vineyards
The broken tractor was put into service in 2009, notes Sister Iossifia. In these plots managed in agroecology, the machine does almost everything: treatments, passages between the rows, shaping the vegetation. , specifies the nun, a choice which protects the soil and retains humidity, but which requires regular passages to lay down the grass so that it does not compete with the vines.
The sisters limit products to plant extracts and Bordeaux mixture, which must be sprayed at the right time to protect the vines. Without a motorized machine, treating the 5 hectares becomes almost mission impossible. Beyond comfort, the health of the vineyard and the next harvests are at stake.
Sale of 5,000 bottles: the wine operation of the Solan monastery
To restart the mechanics, the sisters imagined a simple and transparent operation. , explains Sister Iossifia. The sale takes place online, via Divine Box, and on site at the monastery. The first echoes are encouraging: confides the nun, who sees in each order a direct participation in the purchase of the future tractor.
Several vintages are offered, including the Saint-Martin vintage, an emblematic red of the estate. , describes Sister Iossifia, who happily advises him on summer cooking. For lovers of more robust wines, the Saint-Ambroise vintage, aged in barrels, can be added to a rosé and a white. Buying these bottles, she reminds, also amounts to supporting a specific agricultural choice: .
How can we help the Solan monastery finance its new tractor?
Above all, the community invites you to buy its organic wines from the monastery’s vines, online via Divine Box or directly on site. Each bottle sold contributes to the financing of the new wine tractor. Relaying information to those around you is another concrete way to support them.
Until when does the 5,000 bottle operation take place?
The support campaign is limited in time. The Solan sisters are giving themselves until June 28, 2026 to reach the goal of at least 5,000 bottles sold. After this period, they will have to cover the tractor budget with the available resources.
What organic wines are offered by the sisters of the Solan monastery?
The monastery highlights several vintages from its 5-hectare vineyard. There we find in particular the Saint-Martin red vintage, the most supple and fruity, the more tannic Saint-Ambroise vintage, as well as a rosé and a white wine made from the same organic practices.
