9 November 2026
Global experts to gather at historic Fontanafredda estate in Piedmont, Italy on the 2nd December 2026 to reveal how old vines provide the vital infrastructure securing the future of global viticulture
Following its landmark in-person debut in California in 2025, The Old Vine Conference (OVC) has revealed the headline speakers and session themes for its highly anticipated 2026 conference, Radici Vive (Living Roots), taking place on 2 December at Fontanafredda in Piedmont, Italy.
Under the overarching theme of old vines as the essential, invisible infrastructure of global wine, Radici Vive will bring together leading ampelographers, viticulturists, wine business leaders and communicators from around the globe. The conference will examine old vines as the hidden foundation on which the modern wine trade depends, unpacking the genetic, physical, economic, and cultural building blocks required to secure the industry’s future stability and value.
All sessions will be moderated by renowned wine writer Tamlyn Currin, Senior Editor of jancisrobinson.com and will examine the following topics:
Session 1 | Genetic & Historical Infrastructure
Title: Encoded in the Vine: The Genetic Value of Old Vines
Head Speaker: Dr. Anna Schneider, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council of Italy (recently retired)
This session explores intra- and inter-varietal diversity, historical vineyard records, and the irreplaceable genetic resilience encoded inside centuries-old vines— unlocking vital tools for climate adaptation and the future of viticulture.
Session 2 | Physical Infrastructure
Title: Built to Last: The Architecture of Vine Longevity
Head Speaker: Professor Diego Tomasi, Director of the Consorzio di Tutela Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
An exploration of the physical infrastructure of old vines, above and below ground, examining the biological and structural mechanisms that underpin longevity.
Session 3 | Economic Infrastructure
Title: The Economics of Endurance: Rethinking the Productive Life of a Vineyard & Winery
Head Speaker: Rosa Kruger, Founder of South Africa’s Old Vine Project
An exploration of vineyard productivity, management strategies and the economic foundations of a wine business built to endure.
Session 4 | Knowledge Infrastructure
Title: Heritage Matters: Knowledge, Culture and the Next Generation
Head Speaker: Alder Yarrow, Author, Publisher of Vinography, and Co-Founder of the Old Vine Registry
An examination of how knowledge, skills and cultural understanding must pass between generations to sustain old vineyards, and how initiatives such as the Old Vine Registry Seal can make their heritage visible, build recognition and help secure the future of the wine industry.
The 2026 conference is held in partnership with Fontanafredda, the historic Serralunga d’Alba estate renowned for its Barolo and the great wines of the Langhe.
Radici Vive on the 2nd December sits within a wider programme running from 1 to 4 December, with field-trip days for invited media, trade and OVC members taking in five estates working with old vines across Piedmont: Vinchio Vaglio, Borgogno, G.D. Vajra, Malvirà and Marchesi di Grésy.
Registration details and the full programme for Radici Vive is now available here.