The Old Vine Conference 2025 draws to a close after landmark 5 days in Northern California
Groundbreaking research links older vines to higher wine quality; global collaboration increases as wine industry unites
11th November 2025
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 seventh edition of the global conference - and only the second to be held in person - reflected the expanding international momentum of the old vine movement. Participants from 14 countries explored old vineyards across Northern California, attended two days of conference sessions, and gathered for the Old Vine Wine Gala Tasting and Dinner in collaboration with the Wine Institute of California’s biennial Global Buyers Marketplace.
In total, 39 speakers representing 10 countries contributed to the week’s discussions, with around 250 old vine wines poured from 12 nations - a remarkable testament to the global collaboration driving the preservation of these historic vineyards.
“The enthusiasm and commitment we’ve seen throughout the week demonstrate that the old vine movement is not just thriving, but accelerating,” said Sarah Abbott MW, Co-founder of The Old Vine Conference.
“This landmark event has shown that collaboration across regions, countries and generations is key to securing the future of these precious vines,” said Belinda Stone, The Old Vine Conference Executive Director.
Rebecca Robinson, Executive Director of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP), added: “Hosting the global old vine community here in California - home to some of the world’s most remarkable old vineyards - has been an honor. The exchange of knowledge and shared sense of purpose this week have been truly inspiring.”
The 2025 conference, held in partnership with Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP), featured headline speakers including Jancis Robinson MW, Paul Draper, Rosa Kruger, Sarah Abbott MW and Dr. Laura Catena, alongside a programme of masterclasses, field visits, and expert-led panels.
GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH LINKS OLDER VINES WITH HIGHER WINE QUALITY
A highlight of the conference was new research from CRDO Campo de Borja’s Garnachas Históricas project. The four-year study was conducted by the Universities of Navarra and Zaragoza, and leading wineries Ainzón, Aragonesas, and Borsao.
Presented by José Ignacio Gracia Lopez, Director & Technical Secretary of CRDO Campo de Borja, and introduced by Dr. Laura Catena, the research confirmed:
Old vine Garnacha wines possess greater ageing capacity and stronger site-specific aromatic expression than those from younger vines; and
A scientific method for Garnacha vine age certification, a major advancement where historical planting records are unreliable
The studies mark a significant step toward scientifically validating the quality and heritage of old vines and ensuring their preservation through certification. Watch the video summary of both pieces of research here.
ROSA KRUGER’S CALL FOR HUMAN SUSTAINABILITY
Rosa Kruger, Chairperson and Founder of the Old Vine Project South Africa, delivered a powerful closing address following her panel on stewardship and empowering the next generation of old vine guardians.
“This is a matter we need to address,” she said. “Let’s extend our commitment to old vines by making a commitment to the people that spend the most time in the vineyards. Let’s build a culture of generational knowledge amongst vineyard workers. Let’s start schools in all countries, schools for the people, vineyard schools… if workers are trained in viticulture they will do a better job, they will work faster, they will add value and you will make a better wine. If people do a better job, they will hopefully earn a better wage, be able to provide for their children and families which will build status of vineyard workers in their communities and will keep younger people in the vineyard.”
Kruger concluded: “My appeal to the old vine community across the world is to build a culture for caring for our old vines but also for the people that work the vines.”
Her message resonated deeply, reinforcing that sustainability must extend beyond the vineyard to the people who nurture it.
RESEARCH INSIGHTS: TRADE UNDERSTANDING VS. CONSUMER AWARENESS
Research conducted by Christian Miller, Research Director at the Wine Market Council, for The Old Vine Conference revealed a significant gap between industry and consumer understanding of old vines. While the trade community overwhelmingly recognizes the value, quality, and authenticity that old vines bring to wine, consumer awareness remains low - underscoring the need for continued storytelling, education, and outreach.
A CALL TO ACTION: PROTECTING OLD VINE ZINFANDEL THROUGH NEW GENERATIONS
A panel session that looked at the economic realities of farming California’s old vine Zinfandel proved a defining moment of the first day of the conference. When asked what message he wanted the world’s wine media to action to help keep old vine Zinfandel in the ground, Tegan Passalacqua, founding member of the Historic Vineyard Society shared an impassioned plea:
“There’s so much positivity in this room and support for what everyone has been working hard to do” he said “I would ask you to write something that appeals to the younger generations and for everyone that is in here to open a bottle of Zinfandel for someone under 30 in the next week and tell them about it.”
His words reflected one of the conference’s most resonant themes: engaging new generations of drinkers, growers, and storytellers in the old vine movement.
This landmark event in the journey of the old vine movement was made possible through the generous support of sponsors including California Wines/Wine Institute, Moşia Galicea Mare, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Vinchio Vaglio, Feudi di San Gregorio, Borgogno, Villa Bogdano 1880, Historic Vineyard Society, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Sonoma County Winegrowers, Oak Farm Vineyards, Three Wine Company, and Swirl Wine Group.
Each individual session of The Old Vine Conference 2025 will be uploaded to The Old Vine Conference Youtube channel in the coming weeks. In the meantime the livestream recording of the conference can be watched on-demand:
📺 1st November in Sonoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II4yDHjLxC4
📺 3rd November in Lodi: https://www.youtube.com/live/aMdeWCKuyQc?si=liQxotguzc8fqDeB
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS:
IMAGE LIBRARY DOWNLOAD: HERE
About The Old Vine Conference
The Old Vine Conference is a UK-registered non-profit organisation founded in 2021 whose aim is to create a global category for wine from heritage vineyards. The Old Vine Conference works to create a global network to safeguard old vines of qualitative, cultural and ecological value, by connecting, educating and inspiring the global wine industry through conferences, research, partnerships, tastings and field-trips.
About Zinfandel Advocates & Producers
US-registered Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Zinfandel, a grape variety that is closely associated with California's wine history. ZAP was founded in 1991 and serves as a collective of winemakers, grape growers, and wine enthusiasts who share a passion for Zinfandel. The organization’s mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate Zinfandel’s unique place in California wine. ZAP plays a key role in advocating for the protection of historic Zinfandel vineyards, many of which feature old vines with significant heritage.
About Wine Institute’s California Wine Export Program
Established in 1934, Wine Institute administrates the California Wine Export Program for California vintners, with more than 200 California wineries exporting to 133 countries. California represents 81% of U.S. wine production and 95% of U.S. wine exports. The California Wine Export Program, a public-private partnership supported by winery contributions and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program, promotes California as an environmental leader with distinctive wine regions, an ideal climate for growing world-class wines, an iconic lifestyle, and a culinary tradition rooted in locally grown products. www.DiscoverCaliforniaWines.com. The Global Buyers Marketplace is an annual event run by California Wines.
Further information:
Belinda Stone
belinda@oldvines.org
+44 (0)7903 804227
www.oldvines.org
