November 14, 2024 – The 22nd OIV General Assembly of the International Organisation of Vine & Wine (OIV) has adopted the Resolution OIV-VITI 703-2024 “OIV definition and recommendations about old grapevines and old vineyards in the vitivinicultural sector”, by recognising the works of international initiatives including The Old Vine Conference, The Old Vine Project, The Old Vine Registry and the Censimento Vecchie Vigne.
This important achievement was the result of an extended discussion among the OIV Experts of the Commission Viticulture and was based on a specific official consultation among the OIV member States. In conclusion, the OIV Delegations agreed that:
- An old grapevine is a single plant officially documented to be 35 years or older regardless of any other factors. In the case of grafted plants, the graft connection between rootstock and scion should have been undisturbed for, at least 35 years
- An old vineyard is a block of vineyard terrain, continuous and legally delimited, where at least 85% of the grapevines respond to the previous definition
“This is a milestone for the old vine movement globally. In Europe the EU commission is required to consider OIV recommendations when developing new rules so this could be truly impactful in future regulations and uprooting programs there. We would like to thank our members and supporters for their patronage, advocacy and solidarity in the shared mission that has collectively contributed to this consequential announcement.” Sarah Abbott MW, co-founder, The Old Vine Conference.
The Old Vine Conference continues its old vine program next week with its second Old Vine Wine Week running from 18th – 24th November and last month announced that it will be hosting The Old Vine Conference 2025 in California.
About The Old Vine Conference:
The Old Vine Conference is a non-profit organisation co-founded in 2021 by Sarah Abbott MW, Alun Griffiths MW and Leo Austin. Its aim is to bring together a global network and create a new category for wine from heritage vineyards. The Old Vine Conference is changing the path for old vines and their wines and in its first 3.5 years has contributed exponentially to the awareness, understanding and support of the global old vine movement. The first conference took place in March 2021.
The Old Vine Conference is funded by a combination of sponsorship, and trade, winery and individual membership.
