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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
To make an enquiry about how you can get involved please select one of the following options:
Schedule of Events
Meeting of the Minds
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Gala Tasting: Old vine wines from California & around the world
Keynote: Jancis Robinson MW
Gala Dinner
Venue: Culinary Institute of America, Copia, Napa -
The Old Vine Conference, Day 1
Panel debates, presentations, masterclasses & networking
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Sonoma field-trips
Old vineyard and winery visits, alfresco seminars, tastings -
The Old Vine Conference, Day 2
Panel debates, presentations, masterclasses & networking
Location: Lodi (venue tbc) -
Lodi field-trips
Old vineyard and winery visits, alfresco seminars, tastings
Our Guest Speakers
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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.
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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 BorjaJosé 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.
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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.
