Wednesday, 20 November, 2024
OIV
The 22nd OIV General Assembly of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) has adopted the Resolution OIV-VITI 703-2024 "OIV definition and recommendations about old grapevines and old vineyards in the vitivinicultural sector", by recognising the works of international initiatives including the Old Vine Conference, Old Vine Project, Old Vine Registry, and Censimento Vecchie Vigne.
This important achievement was the result of an extended discussion among the OIV Experts of the Commission Viticulture and was based on a specific official consultation among the OIV member States. In conclusion, the OIV delegations agreed that:
- An old grapevine is a single plant officially documented to be 35 years or older regardless of any other factors. In the case of grafted plants, the graft connection between rootstock and scion should have been undisturbed for, at least 35 years
- An old vineyard is a block of vineyard terrain, continuous and legally delimited, where at least 85% of the grapevines respond to the previous definition
"This is a milestone for the old vine movement globally. In Europe the EU commission is required to consider OIV recommendations when developing new rules so this could be truly impactful in future regulations and uprooting programs there. We would like to thank our members and supporters for their patronage, advocacy and solidarity in the shared mission that has collectively contributed to this consequential announcement." - Sarah Abbott MW, co-founder of the Old Vine Conference.
The Old Vine Conference continues its old vine program with its second Old Vine Wine Week running from 18-24 November and last month announced that it will be hosting the Old Vine Conference 2025 in California.
The Old Vine Conference is funded by a combination of sponsorship, and trade, winery and individual membership.