Voting For The Competition Is Now Closed
Old Vine Photography Competition 2026
The Old Vine Photography Competition celebrates photography that captures the beauty, history, resilience, and cultural significance of old-vine viticulture across the world.
We invite both amateur and professional photographers to document and interpret the relationship between vine, land, and people - from monumental vineyard landscapes to intimate studies of structure, texture, and seasonal life.
Through photography, the Old Vine Photography Competition aims to:
Raise global awareness of old-vine preservation
Document vineyard heritage across continents
Celebrate the growers and communities who protect these vineyards
Build a visual archive for future generations
About The Competition
Old vines represent agricultural heritage, biodiversity, and generational knowledge. They are living witnesses to climate, culture, and community and genetic heritage reserves for now and the future. Whether documentary or artistic, technical or expressive, we welcome photography that reflects the enduring presence, cultural importance and the urgency needed to preserve old vines. We are open to submissions from photographers of all levels, backgrounds, and countries.
Shortlisted works will be showcased in a pop-up exhibition at the Old Vine Conference Heritage Showcase on the 8th June 2026 at St John’s, 73 Waterloo Road, London.
Old Vines: The Old Vine Conference defines an old vine as a grapevine used in wine production that is 35 years or older.
Only vines meeting this criterion are eligible for the Old Vine Photography Competition.
Entries that do not comply will be disqualified, and entry fees will not be refunded.
Key Dates
Shortlisted entries announced: 8th June
Pop-up exhibition, London: 8th June
Public vote opens: 8th June
Public vote closes: 8th July
Winners announced: 15th July, Old Vine Day 2026
Voting Categories
Explore the competition categories below, each designed to highlight a unique perspective on old vines – from landscape and heritage to conservation, climate resilience, and cultural legacy.
When voting opens, the shortlisted entries will be in the following categories.
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Celebrating the beauty and character of old vines, this category highlights both sweeping vineyard landscapes and portraits of the intricate forms and textures of individual old vines.
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Celebrating the individuals behind old vine preservation, this category highlights both the hands-on work of conservation and the passion and commitment of those who dedicate themselves to safeguarding these living treasures.
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Exploring the enduring significance of old vines, this category celebrates images that reflect their historical and cultural roots while also capturing their place in the modern world, revealing how tradition, community and contemporary life intersect to shape and sustain their legacy.
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This category explores the strength and vulnerability of old vines, capturing how they endure and adapt to environmental change while also reflecting themes of loss, fragility and renewal.
From climate challenges and survival in shifting landscapes to forgotten or threatened vines and restoration efforts, images should reveal both the impermanence and remarkable resilience of these living heritage sites.
Prizes & Recognition
Grand Prize: An exclusive old vine field trip
The overall winner of the Old Vine Photography Competition will embark on a once-in-a-lifetime field trip with the Old Vine Conference to photograph and document some of the world’s most remarkable old vines. The winner will receive up to £500 towards travel costs and an all-expenses-paid on the ground excursion. An eye-opening immersion in the world of historic vineyards to capture breathtaking imagery and stories of ancient vines firsthand.
Category Winners & Overall Winner will receive:
Lifetime membership to the Old Vine Conference
A case of old vine wines
A Category Winner digital medal
Press & media coverage – official announcements in wine, food, and photography publications
Opportunities to showcase your images and the story of your wining photography at the Old Vine Conference and partner events
Website & social media spotlights featured posts with your story and behind-the-scenes insights
Publication potential – inclusion in Old Vine Conference educational material and digital features
All shortlisted entries will be:
Exhibited at the Old Vine Conference Heritage Showcase pop-up-exhibition on the 8th June in London
Included in our online Gallery showcase with full photographer credit
Shared across our social media accounts
Included in our monthly newsletter – bringing exposure to wine lovers, photographers, and industry professionals
Receive a Shortlist digital medal – a professional acknowledgement for your portfolio or personal branding
Judges
Randy Caparoso
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Randy Caparoso is a California-based wine journalist, author, and photographer her whose work has been instrumental in documenting the heritage vineyards of Lodi and the wider state. Author ofLodi! The Definitive Guide and History of America’s Largest Winegrowing Region(2022) and Editor-at-Large forThe SOMM Journal, Caparoso has spent more than a decade chronicling California’s historic vineyards through both writing and photography.
Recognised in 2024 by The Old Vine Conference as an “Old Vine Hero” in communications, his work has played a significant role in elevating awareness of old vine viticulture. His deep knowledge of California’s heritage plantings —combined with years spent photographing and documenting them —makes him uniquely qualified to serve as Head Judge of the Old Vine Photography Competition.
www.randycaparosophotography.com
randy@caparoso.com
@randycaparoso.photography
Diego Tomasi
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Diego Tomasi is the Director of the Consorzio di Tutela del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, leveraging his extensive knowledge of the territory. A respected researcher at CREA-VE, he has authored numerous scientific publications and has spent over thirty years studying Italian terroirs, including Conegliano Valdobbiadene. His agronomic and environmental research has earned him international acclaim, with his recent work on Prosecco Superiore DOCG receiving special recognition from the OIV and being translated into Chinese.
Throughout his career, Tomasi has held various influential positions. He currently serves as President of the scientific committee of CERVIM and of SIVE. Since 1995, he has been part of the Italian delegation to the OIV, focusing on vine physiology, viticultural zoning, and climate change. An academic of the Italian Academy of Vine and Wine since 2004, he was honoured by the "Women of the Vine Association" in 2016 and has been an ambassador for the Wine Cities. He directed CREA-VE from 2015 to 2017.
Jason Ingram
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Jason Ingram is an award-winning photographer with decades devoted to documenting gardens, landscapes and plant life at the highest level. His expertise in capturing the beauty, character and seasonal nuance of the natural world makes him an authoritative member of the Old Vine Photography Competition judging panel. He travels widely photographing gardens, plants and people for the UK’s leading magazines and provides photography for numerous best-selling gardening books by top international garden designers.
Jason’s work is held in numerous private collections and he receives regular commissions from HM King Charles III to photograph his private estate at Highgrove, as well as Piet Oudolf’s garden at Hauser & Wirth gallery in Somerset. For his personal work, Jason has been photographing the landscape and coastline of Britain for over 25 years, and in 2008 was awarded ‘Landscape Photographer of the Year’ for "Living the View" category. Jason lectures on his work and teaches in-person garden photography courses. In 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2014 and 2013 he was awarded ‘Garden Photographer of the Year’ by The Garden Media Guild and ‘Features Photographer of the Year’ in 2019 and 2016.
www.jasoningram.co.uk
@jasoningram
A member of the Association of Photographers
Luma Monteiro
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Luma is the founder of Wineria, one of the UK’s most successful wine Instagram accounts, where her thoughtful use of photography brings wine stories vividly to life. Her keen visual eye and ability to communicate the narrative behind a bottle through photography and videos makes her an invaluable member of the judging panel.
Luma is also Head of Marketing and part of the buying team at Davy’s Wine Merchants in London.
Luma was recently awarded the WSET Level 4 Diploma and has been recognised as #31 in the Top 100 Most Influential People in Drinks UK.
www.instagram.com/wineriaofficial/
Belinda Stone
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Belinda Stone is Executive Director of the Old Vine Conference and a wine marketing specialist with 25 years of experience. She created the Old Vine Photography Competition to point the lens at the world’s oldest vineyards, believing that evocative imagery can inspire change and foster a lasting emotional connection between the wine trade and consumers.
“The Old Vine Photography Competition shines the spotlight on vineyards that have stood for generations, revealing stories of resilience, character, and heritage in every frame and enabling better understanding of why old vines matter now more than ever.”
www.instagram.com/ouroldvines
Our Sponsor
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Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG is a protected wine area in the Veneto region of north-eastern Italy. It is the historic heart of the most premium expression of Prosecco.
The denomination was officially recognised in 1969. The sparkling wines made from the region are designated as Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, in recognition of their high quality, restricted vineyard area, and strict production criteria.The Conegliano Valdobbiadene hills are a striking example of heroic viticulture, where steep slopes and manual vineyard work have shaped the landscape for centuries. This extraordinary terrain has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage cultural landscape.
www.prosecco.it/en
@coneglianovaldobbiadenedocg
Voting For The Competition Is Now Closed
All entrants’ submissions will now be reviewed by the judging panel following the submission deadline (5th May 2026).
Entrants of the shortlisted photographs will be contacted by 26th May 2026 via email, ahead of the public pop-up exhibition at the Old Vine Conference Heritage Showcase in London on 8th June 2026, where a public vote will also open.
Winners will be announced on 15th July 2026, to coincide with global Old Vine Day.
Further information such as competition rules, categories, and prizes can be found on this page.
Entry Rules & Requirements
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For £20, individuals may enter up to 4 images maximum to the Old Vine Photography Competition 2026, via an upload form link that will be emailed post-purchase.
Old Vine Conference Members can use a member code at discount for FREE entry to the competition.
Non-members will be offered 1-year individual membership to the Old Vine Conference as a part of their £20 entry to the competition, but are able to opt out from this if they so choose. -
Open worldwide
Open to all photographic experience levels
Entrants must be 18 years or over -
Submitted photos must be your original work OR you must have permission from the photographer to enter the photo on their behalf.
No AI-generated images.
Images must not have been previously published.
Images must not have been previously entered into another competition.
Images must be relevant to the competition themes.
Both colour and black & white images are permissible.
Images must be captured using: Camera, Phone, Tablet or Drone.
Light editing is permitted if completed by the photographer.
Not permitted: Third party overlays, external textures, or composite elements not created by the photographer.
Organisers reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not comply with the image rules. -
JPEG format only.
Maximum 10MB per image.
All files to be saved as: First Name & Surname – Image Title (e.g. John Smith – Ancient Vines)
If shortlisted, you may be asked to supply a higher resolution file. -
The competition category you want your photos to be entered into.
The country and region that the photo was taken in.
The grape variety (if known).
The age of the vine (if known or approximate age). Note: vines must be 35 years old or more.
The vineyard owner (if known).
The year that the photo was taken.
The device used to capture the image.
A short description about the image and how it relates to the competition category you selected (max. 100 words). -
Full Name
Contact Email
Country of Residence
Website and/or Instagram (optional)
Photographer Level (Professional or Amateur) -
No entrant may win more than one prize.
Judges’ decisions are final. -
Copyright remains with the photographer.
By entering, you grant the Old Vine Conference the right to use shortlisted and winning images for promotion, education, exhibition, and print and digital marketing. -
The organisers:
Reserve the right to amend rules if necessary
May modify, suspend, or cancel the competition
Are not liable for any losses or damages arising from participation
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Entrants acknowledge they may be contacted by the Old Vine Registry – the world’s largest database of living old vines – with information about how they can submit their images to the registry.
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The Old Vine Photography Awards are owned and operated by The Old Vine Conference, which oversees competition management, judging, and exhibition. Copyright of all submitted images remains with the photographer; however, by entering, participants grant the Old Vine Photography Awards and its organisers a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use submitted images for promotional, educational, exhibition, and competition-related purposes across print, digital, and media channels, with appropriate credit to the photographer. Entrants confirm they have the rights and permissions required to submit the images and that no third-party rights are infringed.