Unveiling the Old Vine Registry Seal: A New Standard for Quality Wine

I often find myself puzzled when picking up a wine bottle labeled with terms like “old vines,” “vieilles vignes,” or “vigna vecchia.” These phrases often lack any clear information about the actual age of the vines or specifics about the vineyards that produced the wine. There is no official regulation defining “old vines” for most regions, allowing producers to use the term freely without substantiation. This lack of clarity can lead to frustration for consumers who want to know more about what they are drinking.

To address this issue, the Old Vine Registry (OVR) has introduced the Old Vine Registry Seal. This new program aims to help producers, retailers, and importers clearly communicate that a given wine is made from registered old vineyards, and it categorizes these vineyards by age: 35+, 50+, 75+, 100+, and 150+ years old.

The OVR Seal, designed for wine labels and various marketing materials, allows consumers to easily identify wines made from aged vineyards. By promoting these wines, the OVR aims to raise awareness about their uniqueness, rarity, and quality.

The seal kicks off with 11 launch partners from seven countries who are eager to adopt it. Among them are:

• AYA Estate from Bulgaria, known for 51-year-old Cabernet Franc vines.
• Bedrock Wine Co. from Sonoma, famous for their Bedrock Vineyard planted in 1888.
• Bodega Ciclo Andino in Argentina, using the seal for their 1920-planted Malbec vines.
• Garage Wine Company collaborating with ancient vineyards in Chile.
• Methymnaeos Organic Vineyards from Greece, with a notable vineyard documented since 1985.
• Plaimont from France, revitalizing vineyards established as early as 1820.
• Seghesio Family Vineyards known for their historical Chianti Station vineyard planted in 1910.
• Sown Estate in Napa, featuring their 35-year-old hillside vineyard.
• Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani, with vineyards dating back to 1965.
• Versado Wine, farming vines planted in 1920 in Mendoza.
• Wooldridge Creek Winery in Oregon, with vineyards from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The Old Vine Registry’s mission focuses on three core areas: identifying, valuing, and preserving old vineyards. By cataloging these vineyards and documenting their narratives, the registry helps cultivate a deeper appreciation for their value among consumers. The ultimate goal is to establish a commercial category for old-vine wines, creating a dedicated space in wine shops and restaurants, making it easier for consumers to find and choose these unique offerings.

Producers with qualifying vineyards can submit their entries to the Old Vine Registry free of charge and can register to utilize the OVR seal. For wine enthusiasts, engaging with old-vine wines can start with checking if their favorite bottle is registered and encouraging producers to join the registry if it’s not.

With the OVR Seal, we hope to move the conversation about old vine wines into the limelight, offering clarity and appreciation for these exceptional vineyards.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!