The oldest known living grapevine today is over 400 years old and is located in the city of Maribor, Slovenia. It belongs to a rare red variety called Žametovka and still produces around 70 pounds of grapes annually. It has survived invasions, fires, pests, and even bombings during World War II.
A plant is considered an "old vine" when it is more than 25 years old. As the vine ages, the number of grapes it produces decreases, but the concentration of flavor compounds increases. Although they yield less fruit, some winemakers prefer these vines because they require less maintenance, and the resulting wines tend to have an intense flavor with silky tannins.
Want to taste the story in your glass? Explore our old-vine wines.
Author: Maytte Rivera
