Our Purpose

We are building a credible wine category for Old Vine wines. We hope that The Old Vine Conference can be the seed for an enduring community that sustains and communicates this category. It can only be achieved by coming together.

  • We will make the Old Vine case in the media. We are also organising comparative tastings of great old vine wines globally. These wines will be selected by an independent panel and sourced purely on merit from around the world. Revenue from ticket sales will fund our projects. 

  • We will make grants to researchers working on Old Vine projects, with a focus on how our industry can realise the great potential of old vines. We will also amplify the published research of technical specialists, such as on old vine viticulture. We will develop and publish a global old vine register and highlight old vineyards of quality and heritage that are at risk.

  • We will support our members, growers, winemakers and marketers to work together in developing commercial models to make Old Vines work in the real world. We are a non-profit but we realise that only viable commercial models can make a sustained difference on the ground – and that what matters is to raise the price of quality Old Vine grapes. We will support all ventures that support Old Vines through introductions, connections and publicity. We can all do our bit and in their day jobs, our founders will build a sister organisation that crowdfunds old vine projects with the support of committed wine-lovers.

PRINCIPLES

The first conference in March 2021 brought industry participants together to agree an agenda. Our work since then continues to seek out and highlight best practice, develop real, actionable projects and encourage as much participation as possible. 

BEST PRACTICES

So much good work is being done. We want to shine a light on Old Vine projects around the world and help the industry share as much as possible of what has been learned. In each conference we will highlight regions, winemakers and industry associations that are doing this work and invite these pioneers to share best practice with the industry, covering viticulture, winemaking, standards and marketing. 

PROJECTS

Making change is about action, not just discussion. We intend to make a difference on the ground. This includes Research Visits. We will invite you to accompany us to visit the most important Old Vine projects around the world and learn from the viticulturists and winemakers that are leading them. They deserve to be better known. 

PARTICIPATION

Everything we do is open-door. 

We are formed as a membership organisation. Join us and participate in shaping our future. Help us put on events around the world and enjoy some fantastic wines. Please join us in visiting the Old Vine world’s most precious vineyards and talking about them. 

Please tell us about your work with Old Vines, whether scientific or applied. We will be delighted to help you tell your story. Join us at a Conference and share your learning with industry colleagues. 

Please continue to make and sell Old Vine wines. We will highlight the work of all old-vine pioneers through our media campaigns.