Agronomist Dr. Roy Urvieta works at the Catena Wine Institute in Mendoza, Argentina. In this guest blog post, he explains about his research into the massale selection of Malbec, and why he believes the preservation of old wines is essential to the future of wine.

In Italy, landslides caused by torrential rains have highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in protecting fragile old vine landscapes and sparked an unprecedented national movement among the Italy’s independent winemakers.  To understand the true scale of the crisis and what it means for Italian viticultural heritage, The Old Vine Conference spoke with Mattia Manferrari of the Borgo del Tiglio estate.

DO Campo de Borja is called the "Empire of Garnacha", as its majority variety is thought to originate in the area. However, many low-yielding parcels are lost every year. To protect the heritage vines that remain, the DO Campo de Borja undertook groundbreaking research that has proven the value of old vine Garnacha. The Old Vine Conference organised a study trip to the region to find out more. 

Member Tenuta il Finale explains how in Piemonte, Italy, a renewed focus on old vines and indigenous varieties is offering a compelling response to the pressures of climate change—one rooted not in innovation, but in adaptation.

The Old Vine Registry, the world’s leading public database dedicated to historic vineyards, announced today that it has surpassed 10,000 registered vineyards worldwide, achieving a goal originally set for 2027 more than a year ahead of schedule.

When a new road required moving their caretaker’s house in San Carlos, 37-year-old vines would normally have been lost. Dr Laura Catena explains how instead they were transplanted that same day to a higher site in Gualtallary Alto and are now thriving in their new home. 

Agricultural engineer, Silvina Van Houten, is part of the viticultural team at Catena Zapata in Mendoza, Argentina. In this guest blog post, she explains what her work entails, and why it has lead to her being known locally as “la chica de las old vines” or “the old vine girl.”

Vigna Terrabianca is member Arillo in Terrabianca’s oldest parcel of Sangiovese vines, planted 52 years ago in one of the highest altitude areas of Chianti Classico in Tuscany, Italy. CEO Alberto Fusi shares an update on the 2026 weather in mid-February, contrasting this year's very cold winter with the much milder conditions experienced in 2025.

Dimitris Mansolas of Hetero Wines explains the two-year Strategic Viticultural Plan that he is leading to regenerate the old vines managed by Old Vine Conference member Paros Farming Community on this small Greek island.  The vines are trained using a traditional vine architecture uniquely adapted to the island’s arid, wind-exposed landscape known as “aplotaries”.

Italian member Guia Winery reports on the “stunning” conditions in the 2025 vintage from their old vineyards in the steep, sun-drenched hills of Guia, one of the most revered crus in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG.

Vinchio Vaglio is a dynamic cooperative in Piedmont leading the way for old-vine Italian producers and setting the standard for other cooperatives worldwide. Each year they publish their annual update which explains in detail their dedication to continued improvement for people, plants, planet and profit.

Spanish member El Escocés Volante has launched a new old vine wine, Marzolín, from a particularly resilient vineyard planted in 1920, planted not with Monastrell and Garnacha as previously thought, but the rare historic variety Moristel, native to Aragón. 

Spanish Regional Ambassador Anna Harris-Noble on a visit to member Bodegas Bideona in the Rioja Alavesa, which has created a range to showcase the diversity and value of parcels of old vines across the villages of the Sonsierra.

The Old Vine Registry, the world’s largest and most authoritative database of historic vine plantings, has entered the new year with 9,393 registered vineyards across 42 countries, reflecting a surge of new contributions over the past twelve months.

Introducing Agatha, our Membership Manager

Q: Welcome to The Old Vine Conference! What excites you most about joining the team?

Thank you! It is an opportunity to interact with a highly respected and diverse group of professionals. I'm looking forward to learning from everyone's experience and expertise, especially when it comes to old vines, wine regions, producers and the heritage they represent.

The Old Vine Conference 2025: Meeting of the Minds concluded last week after an inspiring five-day celebration of the world’s heritage vineyards. The event brought together nearly 400 in-person attendees and over 300 virtual participants from around the world for seminars, tastings, debates, vineyard visits, and discussions dedicated to preserving and promoting old vines and the wines they produce.

The Old Vine Conference is proud to partner with the Local Wine School network to launch a nationwide programme dedicated to the appreciation and understanding of old vine wines. From September to November 2025, 17 Local Wine Schools across the UK will host the Old Vine Wine Masterclass Series, bringing the stories and flavours of historic vineyards to wine lovers nationwide.

This past May, I had the privilege of visiting Mamoiada, a small yet remarkable village tucked into the rugged interior of Sardinia, at the invitation of the Mamoja Association. The experience was not only enriching from a professional standpoint—it was deeply personal and inspiring. 

Since 2003, Alchemy has been using parcels of fruit from old vines in many of our best wines, including D&B, Sandpiper and Black Lagoon. These low-yielding, handpicked, single berry-selected grapes deliver backbone, depth and intensity to our blends. Old vines are tougher, with deeper root networks that draw up mineral-rich moisture from deep in the soil, helping them adapt to climate shifts and yield consistently high-quality fruit.

Our third year hosting one of the largest global tastings of old‑vine wines took place on Tuesday 17th June at Vagabond Wines, in the heart of the City of London. With 150 remarkable old-vine wines from regions spanning Argentina to South Africa, Italy to Australia, and beyond, our annual London tasting truly showcased the depth and diversity of old‑vine heritage.