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OIV’s Impact: Rediscovering Wine Tourism Through Ancient Vines

OIV

From the heart of the viticulture community, we bring noteworthy developments.

This November, the General Assembly of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) took a significant step by officially adopting Resolution OIV-VITI 703-2024, named “OIV Definitions and Recommendations on Old Grapevines and Old Vineyards in the Vitivinicultural Sector,” this pivotal resolution emphasizes major initiatives including the ‘Old Vine Conference,’ the ‘Old Vine Project,’ the ‘Old Vine Registry,’ and the Italian ‘Censimento Vecchie Vigne,’ highlighting a worldwide dedication to maintaining our viticultural legacy.

OIV

Alder Yarrow, a celebrated American wine and restaurant blogger and the publisher of Vinography – a leading voice in the international wine community – has explored this resolution on his website. His article, “Officially Defining (and Helping) Old Vines Around the World,” brings this topic to the forefront of wine discourse. As a past winner of the Wine Travel Awards in the Wine & Food Influencer/Author of the Year category, Yarrow provides invaluable insights into the importance of ancient vineyards. He states, “As the guy behind the current incarnation of the ‘Old Vine Registry,’ I’m extremely proud that this project has helped even a small amount in furthering the wine industry’s awareness of old vines and their value.”

This pivotal move by the OIV, enriched by Yarrow’s advocacy, marks a significant moment for wine enthusiasts and the wine tourism community, highlighting the crucial role of historical vineyards in the narrative of wine and wine tourism.

Alder Yarrow main

The resolution was the result of prolonged discussions among OIV experts in the Viticulture Commission and was based on specific official consultations with OIV member states.

Consequently, the OIV delegation agreed and adopted the following:

  • An old grapevine is an individual plant officially registered as being 35 years old or older, regardless of other factors. In the case of grafted plants, the graft union between the rootstock and scion must have remained intact for at least 35 years;
  • An old vineyard is an area of vineyard territory that is integral and legally demarcated, where at least 85% of the grapevines meet the previous definition.

OIV cited several reasons why such a definition is beneficial for the entire industry. These include:

  • Environmental, social, and economic benefits of old vineyards and vines, particularly in terms of heritage, culture, image, and wine tourism, contributing to the sustainable development goals of the viticulture sector;
  • The heritage value of old vineyards and vines is significant for the viticulture sector, meriting recognition and protection to study their genetic diversity, agronomic possibilities, quality, resilience, and traceability;
  • The definition of old vines and old vineyards aids the viticulture sector by recognizing the value of the products they supply and providing information about the longevity of vineyards;
  • The connection between old vineyards and the potential value of the products derived from them;
  • The definition of an old grapevine and old vineyard serves not only as an additional tool for protecting territorial viticultural heritage or for emphasizing the current state of vineyards but also for promoting the planting of new vineyards for long-term aging;
  • The concept of an old grapevine closely associates with a balanced interaction between root development, plant strength, and impact on wine quality, essential for a clear definition and quantitative assessment of characteristics related to a vine considered old.

Alder Yarrow

These pivotal factors led to the establishment of the “Old Vine Register” (The Old Vine Registry). According to Alder Yarrow’s website, the registry aims to catalog 10,000 vineyards by 2027, and to achieve this, it calls for volunteer vineyard hunters to help expand this crucial database. Those interested in contributing to the research, collation, and compilation of vineyard data are encouraged to reach out directly to Alder Yarrow at oldvineregistry@gmail.com.

Additionally, the “Old Vine Registry” requires ongoing financial support. Initially funded by a generous grant from Jackson Family Wines, the registry now seeks additional funding to enhance its web functionalities, including expanding search capabilities, integrating vineyard maps, and creating a photo database of vineyards. Alder Yarrow invites those who can aid in supporting the most comprehensive and authoritative old vineyard database in the world to make contact. This support will help preserve the legacy and richness of the world’s vinicultural heritage.

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Photo: vinography.com