31st October - 4th November 

Meeting of the Minds

An extraordinary convention in Northern California bringing together old vine pioneers, thought-leaders, media, buyers and KOL from around the world.

The 7th Edition of The Old Vine Conference, 2025

As a highly anticipated annual event in the global wine calendar the 7th edition of The Old Vine Conference will be the most significant event yet, in the journey of the global old vine movement. Meeting of the Minds will be an in-person series of tastings, seminars, panel debates, masterclasses and old-vine field-trips kicking off with a unique coming-together with The Global Wine Buyers Market place. The Old Vine Conference 2025, Meeting of The Minds, will draw an international audience of trade and media to discuss the most pressing issues facing the worlds old vines.

What to expect from The Old Vine Conference 2025:

  • We begin the 2025 Old Vine Conference with a take-over on the last day of the California Wine Institute’s Global Buyers Marketplace (GBM). Established in 2022, GBM is a premier event attracting top buyers and importers from over 30 countries to California. Our opening Gala Tasting and Dinner will showcase thrilling Old-Vine Wines from California and the World to 200 delegates: media, global buyers and KOL.

    Global Buyer’s Marketplace

  • Our 2025 Conference Program features unmissable and unique presentations from leaders in wine and associated industries. The dialectical format and rigorous content standards make for insightful, transformative sessions.

  • California’s Old-Vine Heritage is among the richest in the world. The state is a living testament to the resilience and transcendence of wine culture. We are partnering with acclaimed California old-vine advocates ZAP to showcase their old-vine heritage and highlight the historic links to countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal and Chile.

    Discover ZAP

To make an enquiry about how you can get involved please select one of the following options:

Kirschenmann Vineyard, Lodi, by Alder Yarrow

Schedule of Events

Meeting of the Minds

  • Gala Tasting: Old vine wines from California & around the world
    Keynote: Jancis Robinson MW
    Gala Dinner: Culinary Institute of America, 500 1st Street, Napa

    The 5-day series of events will commence with a walk-around tasting of old vine wines from California and the world at the Old Vine Wine Gala Tasting. The Gala Tasting will feature a curated list of 130 international old vine wines and a superb showcase of California’s finest old vine wines. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to experience a thoughtfully curated assortment of exceptional vintages that highlight the heritage and craftsmanship of old vine winemaking.

    Shortly afterwards guests will be invited to attend Jancis Robinson MW’s keynote speech before the start of our Opening Night Gala Dinner, an evening of celebration held in conjunction with the Wine Institute’s Global Buyers Marketplace. This exclusive gathering presents an unparalleled networking opportunity, bringing together the most esteemed figures in today’s wine industry.

  • The Old Vine Conference, Day 1
    Hyatt Ballroom | 170 Railroad St, Santa Rosa

    Join us for a full day of engaging sessions, including panel debates, insightful presentations, hands-on masterclasses, and valuable networking opportunities. Attendees will also enjoy a tasting experience and lunch. Our lineup of speakers features esteemed local wine luminaries alongside renowned international wine experts. Don’t miss this opportunity!

    Enroll Now

    Tasting and Dinner at Seghesio Family Vineyards
    700 Grove Street, Healdsburg

    Experience an exclusive walk-around tasting of local old vine wines, followed by an elegant dinner at a prestigious Dry Creek Valley winery: Seghesio Family Vineyards. This special evening has very limited tickets and is open to OVC Community Pass ticket holders and OVC trade & media guests.

    For details on how wineries can participate:

    Contact Glenda

  • The Old Vine Conference, Day 2: Old Vine Field Trips, Lunch, Tastings & Dinner in Sonoma County

    OVC Community Pass holders and trade & media delegates will spend the day visiting precious old vineyards of local wineries and guardians of old vines in and around Sonoma County and will experience a series of alfresco seminars, tastings and lunch.

    These visits and lunch are graciously hosted by:

    Historic Vineyard Society

    Tasting & Dinner hosted by Sonoma County Winegrowers
    Location Pending

    The day will be topped off with an unforgettable tasting & Dinner hosted by Sonoma County Winegrowers.

    Experience an exclusive walk-around tasting, followed by an elegant dinner at a prestigious winery. This special event is hosted by Sonoma County Winegrowers and their esteemed members. For OVC Community Pass holders, OVC trade & media guests and by invitation only:

    Learn More

  • The Old Vine Conference, Day 3: The Old Vine Conference 2025 Contra Costa County and Lodi

    OVC trade & media guests and Community Pass ticket holders will journey to Contra Costa County for a unique old vine vineyard visit and an alfresco luncheon among the vines hosted by Three Wine Company.

    From there, the experience continues in Lodi with a series of conference sessions.

    Conference Sessions at Wine & Roses
    2505 W Turner Road, Lodi

    Join us for a set of engaging sessions, including panel debates, insightful presentations, hands-on masterclasses, and valuable networking opportunities. Our lineup of speakers features esteemed local wine luminaries alongside renowned international old vine experts. Don’t miss this opportunity!

    Enroll Now

    Tasting & Dinner at Oak Farm Vineyards
    23627 North Devries Road, Lodi

    In the evening, guests will take part in an exclusive walk-around Tasting and Dinner at Oak Farm Vineyards in Lodi. These events are proudly hosted by Lodi Wines.  This special event is open to a limited number of wineries—secure your spot now!   For details on how wineries can participate:

    Contact Glenda

    Experience an exclusive walk-around tasting of local old vine wines, and Dinner at Oak Farm Vineyards in Lodi. These events are proudly hosted by Lodi Wines. This special evening has very limited tickets and is open to wineries presenting their wines at the walk-around tasting, OVC Community Pass ticket holders and OVC trade & media guests.

    For details on how wineries can participate:

    Contact Glenda

  • The Old Vine Conference, Day 4: Old Vine Field Trips & Lunch Lodi

    OVC trade & media guests and Community Pass ticket holders will journey to local wineries and vineyards for exclusive old vine visits & tastings followed by a lunch hosted by Lodi Wines.

Old vine Garnacha in Campo de Borja, Spain

Our Guest Speakers

Full speaker list soon to be announced.

  • Jancis Robinson OBE MW

    Keynote Speaker

    Voted the world's most influential wine critic in various polls in the US, France and internationally in 2018, Jancis founded JancisRobinson.com in 2000, where she is editor in chief and main contributor. She is the wine correspondent for the Financial Times, founder-editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, and co-author with Hugh Johnson ofThe World Atlas of Wine.

    jancisrobinson.com
    @jancisrobinson

  • Rosa Kruger

    Founder & Chairperson of The Old Vine Project, South Africa

    Rosa Kruger, has been a consultant vineyard manager for over 20 years, specialising in designing new vineyard sites and managing existing vineyards to produce exceptional quality wines. In 2002, she began documenting South Africa’s old vines, leading to the creation of the Old Vine Project in 2016. The initiative focuses on preserving viticultural heritage, promoting research, supporting workers, and adapting to climate change, while expanding its influence with more wines under its banner.

    oldvineproject.co.za
    @oldvineproject

  • José Ignacio Gracia Lopez

    Director & Technical Secretary
    CRDO Campo de Borja

    José Ignacio Gracia Lopez studied Agricultural Engineering at the University of Zaragoza and obtained a Master in Viticulture and Oenology from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He has worked for more than 35 years to date in the DO Campo de Borja, in Spain and is currently pursuing his Diploma studies at WSET in London.

    docampodeborja.com
    @docampodeborja

  • Marco Giordano

    Managing Director, Vinchio Vaglio

    Vinchio Vaglio is a Piedmontese cooperative that farms 470 hectares of vines including prized old-vine Barbera. Marco, a graduate in Economics, started as a driver at Vinchio Vaglio in 2011 and is now Managing Director of this dynamic producer that has championed and safeguarded old vine Barbera for decades.

    www.vinchio.com
    @vinchiovaglio

Our Headline Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Our Media Guests

Full media list soon to be released.