Vina, California: Medieval Monastery
An 800-year-old chapter house from a Spanish monastery is being reassembled, stone-by-stone, at the Abbey of New Clairvaux. Helpful signs explain its significance. Bigger than you might think.
Abbey of New Clairvaux
- Address:
- 7th St., Vina, CA
- Directions:
- Abbey of New Clairvaux. I-5 exit 630. Drive east on South Ave. for eight miles. Turn left onto Rowles Rd. Drive one mile. Turn left onto 7th St. and follow the signs to the winery.
- Phone:
- 530-839-9936
- Admission:
- Free
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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There's a great koi pond at the monastery, in the back of the admin building.
[Miguel, 09/25/2021]
The building was so modern looking on the outside we were not sure at first if we had the right place. It is a beautiful blend of old and new inside. The restored Chapter House building is made up of about 40% of the original stones.
[Melissa J, 07/10/2019]
We were lucky enough to walk into the chapel while four monks were having a little choir practice. The vaulted ceilings have excellent acoustics. The wine was spectacular!
[Pjamz5, 11/12/2018]
Tranquil, lush grounds. Friendly monks at the wine tasting shop. Awe inspiring to see the rebuilt monastery.
[Jolene, 06/23/2016]
The Sacred Stones project is the reconstruction of an 800-year-old chapter house from a Cistercian monastery in Ovila, Spain. This historic structure is being rebuilt at the Abbey of New Clairvaux in Vina, California. This is the oldest building in the U.S.
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The medieval chapter house, originally in Spain, was bought by superrich William Randolph "Citizen Kane" Hearst in 1931, who wanted to rebuild it on one of his California estates. He never did. The rocks sat in boxes for decades, then were given to the Abbey of New Clairvaux in 1994, which has been reassembling them at a medieval pace ever since. Hearst also bought another, even older Spanish monastery at the same time; it's been reassembled in Florida. June 2016: Photo added.