Benedictine College Announces Raven Wine Society

Published: Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., has announced the creation of the Raven Wine Society in partnership with Napa, California-based winery Trinitas Cellars. The Society was created to offer premium Benedictine College branded wines to the public, with proceeds from the sales going to support scholarships. A red blend, called Mysteriama, and a Chardonnay are now available. The wines are available for purchase online at: www.benedictine.edu/wine.

“We are excited to work with Trinitas Cellars to develop this special partnership which will support worthy students through scholarships,” said Stephen D. Minnis, president of Benedictine College.

The partnership began with a chance meeting at a California event. Minnis speaks annually at the Napa Institute Conference, an annual event of the Napa Institute, an organization established in Napa, Cal., to help Catholic leaders face the challenges of an increasingly secular society. While attending the conference last summer, he learned that Timothy Busch, co-founder of the Napa Institute, was also the founder of Trinitas Cellars. Minnis had the opportunity to visit with Garrett Busch, Timothy’s son, who is now the CEO of Trinitas, and they agreed to explore the development of a partnership.

“We think this connection of award-winning wines, the Napa Institute, and the Busch family’s commitment to the faith makes Trinitas a perfect partner for us,” Minnis said.

“Trinitas is Latin for Trinity, the inspiration behind the name really comes from our family’s Catholic heritage and the Holy Trinity,” said Trinitas’ Garrett Busch. “Our faith and that philosophy really is in the fabric of who we are at Trinitas. The trinity of elements that go into winemaking for us and what is symbolized in our logo are Sun, Soil, and Humanity.”

St. Benedict himself addressed the subject of wine in Chapter 40 of his famous Rule, where he discussed drink and moderation. While he was living in the cave at Subiaco, his friend was a Raven. The bird looked after St. Benedict and St. Benedict fed him. The Raven even carried away a loaf of bread that had been poisoned by a jealous monk. The Raven is always associated with St. Benedict and it is the mascot of Benedictine College, thus the name Raven Wine Society.

The Raven Wine Society features specially bottled wines. The red blend and white are labeled with the Seal of Benedictine College and a rendering of building silhouettes including St. Benedict Hall, the Abbey bell tower, Ferrell Academic Center, St. Benedict’s Church, and the St. John XXIII Tower.

The winery agreed to produce 150 cases each of a white and a red wine. The Chardonnay is from the Los Carneros viticultural area that includes parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties in California. The cooler climate has made Los Carneros attractive for the cultivation of cooler climate varietals like Pinot noir and Chardonnay. The 2013 Chardonnay Benedictine was aged in a combination of American and Russian oak barrels.

The Mysteriama is from Mendocino, an area known for the cultivation of Mediterranean climate grapes including Carignan, Charbono, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel. The 2013 Mysteriama Benedictine is a blend of the winemaker’s favorite old vine varietals. It is aged exclusively in American oak barrels.

About Benedictine College

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is proud to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. It has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

About Trinitas Cellars

For years, Tim Busch dreamed of owning a winery in Napa Valley and in 2002, his dream became a reality when he and his wife, Steph, founded Trinitas Cellars. Truly a family owned and run winery, Tim and Steph’s son, Garrett, and his wife Betsy, operate and manage Trinitas Cellars with the same passion for wine as the founders. One of Garrett and Betsy’s favorite activities is greeting and guiding guests through the family history and wines. Being a small-production winery with a wide selection, the Trinitas family loves to connect with visitors and find wines that will be loved for years to come. More often than not, people leave Trinitas Cellars feeling part of the family and future of the winery – and they are.

Trinitas features a “Faith Collection,” such as a rose called Rose’ary, or even the wine they made for the Holy Father, CABERNET FRANCis. (The winery supplied this special wine for the Pope’s visit to the United States.)

About Sun, Soil and Humanity

Sun represents the vintage and the weather that year, which is the most important variable dictating the quality and character of each wine made, but it is something we have no control over as vintners and we rely on God for a great harvest. Soil is all about working with the land and co-creating with God and our growers to grow and cultivate amazing fruit for our wine. Lastly, Humanity is us cultivating those grapes, us making the wine in the cellar, and lastly, all of the amazing people who have a passion for wine like we do, because without them we would not be able to do what we do.