First ‘all of Italy’ old vine conference takes place in Tuscany
First ‘all of Italy’ Old Vine Conference takes place in Tuscany
- Belinda Stone, Director
In Tuscany, on the 8th and 9th October our winery members from across Italy gathered at Tenuta Sette Ponti for the inaugural ‘All of Italy’ Old Vine Conference. The first meeting of its kind united 22 Italian wineries from across the country in their shared mission to preserve, protect and promote the viticultural heritage of Italy and the fine wines they produce.
Italian winery members of The Old Vine Conference and international media standing in Tenuta Sette Ponti’s 89-year-old Sangiovese vineyard Vigna dell’Impero in Tuscany, together with The Old Vine Conference team: Michèle Shah, Leo Austin and Belinda Stone.
Photo credit: Studio Incontro.
Guests included Italian and International media, influential educators and sommeliers who heard from speakers including Leo Austin, co-founder of The Old Vine Conference, Danielle Calligari of Wine Enthusiast and Italy’s first Master of Wine, Gabriele Gorelli. The initiative was spearheaded by the OVC’s Regional Ambassador for Italy, Michèle Shah, who has been instrumental in her work to position Italy and its old-vine wine producers at the forefront of the global old-vine movement:
“Our aim with the first ‘All of Italy’ Old Vine Conference has been to build awareness of the historical, cultural and genetic value of the old-vines in Italy and present an up-to-date understanding of the old vine movement here today and its importance for the future of the country’s wine industry.”
As well as presentations from guest speakers, delegates were able taste through an enviable selection of some of Italy's finest old vine wines and network with a dynamic and highly engaged group of leading old-vine wine producers.
Producers in attendance were:
Feudi di San Gregorio, Vinchio Vaglio, Alta Mora/Cusumano, Villa Bogdano, San Leonardo, Fattoria Fibbiano, Tenuta Sette Ponti, Animatena, Malvirà, Tenuta dei Ciclopi, Castello di Albola, Marchesi Antinori, Cantina Roeno, GD Vajra, Benanti, Col d'Orcia, Azienda Agricola Gini Sandro e Claudio, I Custodi delle vigne dell’Etna, Zýmē, Morella, Aquila del Torre and Marchesi dei Grésy.
