Old vines: when time becomes a wine ingredient
Some vines are ten years old. Others fifty. The oldest sometimes exceed a century, yet continue to produce some of the most sought-after wines in the world.
On labels, the mention "Vieilles Vignes" (Old Vines) spontaneously evokes depth, rarity, and a privileged connection with the terroir. But what does it truly mean? From what age does a vine become old? Is this indication regulated? And above all, do old vines necessarily produce better wines?
From Burgundy to Barossa Valley wines, from the Douro to the historic vineyards of Chile, let's explore these plots where time has become a living heritage.
What is an old vine?
An old vine is, quite simply, a vine old enough to have reached an advanced stage of its life cycle. The difficulty begins when trying to define precisely what "old enough" means.
For a long time, there was no common international threshold to officially distinguish an adult vine from an old vine. In 2024, however, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine adopted a reference definition: an old vine is a vine stock whose documented age reaches at least 35 years. An old vineyard, on the other hand, refers to a plot where at least 85% of the vine stocks meet this definition. This resolution provides an international framework, but it does not automatically transform the mention on bottles into a mandatory certification in every country.
In France, the mention "Vieilles Vignes" therefore remains largely used under the producer's responsibility. There is no single national threshold imposed on all wines to display it on a label.
In practice, a 30 or 35-year-old vine may be considered old in a regularly renewed vineyard, while some estates working with century-old plots will reserve this expression for much older vines.
From what age do we speak of old vines?
The threshold depends heavily on the region, grape variety, and local customs.
From 35 years old, a vine now falls within the definition proposed by the OIV. Between 50 and 70 years old, it is generally unambiguously recognized as an old vine. Beyond 100 years, it is commonly referred to as a centenarian vine. Some historic plots even exceed 150 years.
Australia offers one of the most precise systems with the Barossa Old Vine Charter. It distinguishes four categories:
- Old Vines, at least 35 years old;
- Survivor Vines, at least 70 years old;
- Centenarian Vines, at least 100 years old;
- Ancestor Vines, at least 125 years old.
This classification, created to list and protect Barossa's viticultural heritage, shows how much the age of a vine can become a strong element of a region's identity.
Why are old vines so sought after?
Age is not directly reflected in the taste of the wine. A vine does not suddenly develop an old wood aroma when it blows out its fiftieth candle.
However, its aging gradually modifies its functioning.
Naturally lower yields
As it ages, a vine generally produces fewer bunches. The berries can be smaller and the yield lower than with a young planting.
This decrease is not necessarily bad news. It can promote more concentrated grapes and allow the vine to better distribute its resources among a limited number of fruits.
A well-established root system
Over the decades, the roots gradually explore different layers of the soil. Their development naturally depends on the terroir, soil depth, rootstock, and viticultural practices: not all old vines automatically send their roots several meters underground.
A well-established root system can nevertheless help the plant to better regulate its water supply and resist climatic variations. In some dry regions, this autonomy even allows vines to be cultivated without irrigation.
Better natural balance
With age, the vigor of the vine often tends to decrease. The plant produces less vegetation and sometimes finds a more stable balance between its leaves and its grapes.
For the winemaker, this can translate into more consistent maturity, more balanced grapes, and a more precise expression of the plot.
A memory of the terroir?
The expression is poetic, but it quite accurately describes the feeling sought by enthusiasts. An old vine has lived through dozens of vintages, dry periods, cold years, and sometimes profound transformations of the vineyard.
The wines produced from them can offer more depth and nuances, with an identity that seems to rely less on the sole expression of the grape variety and more on that of the place.
Do old vines always produce better wines?
No, not necessarily: an old vine that is poorly located, diseased, or neglected will not necessarily produce a great wine. Its age does not replace the quality of the terroir, the work of the winemaker, or the precision of the winemaking.
Conversely, a young vine planted on an excellent terroir can produce a remarkable wine.
The mention "Vieilles Vignes" should therefore be considered as additional information, not as an absolute guarantee of quality. It becomes truly interesting when the producer specifies the age of the vines, their location, and how the plot is cultivated.
In other words, old vines are not everything. But when they meet a great terroir and an attentive winemaker, they can give birth to wines of a depth that is difficult to replicate.
Vieilles Vignes, Old Vines, Viñas Viejas: what do these mentions mean?
The same idea is found in different forms around the world:
- Vieilles Vignes in France;
- Old Vines or Old Vine in English-speaking countries;
- Viñas Viejas in Spain;
- Vinhas Velhas in Portugal;
- Vecchie Viti in Italy;
- Alte Reben in Germany.
These expressions are not always based on the same criteria. Some are a simple indication from the producer, while others are part of a more precise regional or collective framework.
In Maule, Chile, the mention VIGNO, for example, identifies cuvées mainly made from old Carignan vines and meeting common specifications. In the Barossa Valley, the Old Vine Charter classifies vineyards according to their actual age.
The mention "old vines" therefore gains value when its use is documented, verifiable, and linked to a clearly identified plot.
Old vines, ungrafted vines, and pre-phylloxera vines: what's the difference?
These concepts are related, but they are not synonymous.
An old vine is defined by its age. It can be grafted or planted on its own roots.
An ungrafted vine grows directly on its roots, without an American rootstock. This type of planting became rare after the phylloxera crisis that devastated a large part of the European vineyard from the second half of the 19th century.
A pre-phylloxera vine was planted before the arrival of phylloxera in its region. It is therefore necessarily very old and often ungrafted, but not all ungrafted vines are pre-phylloxera.
Such vineyards can still be found in some areas spared by the insect, particularly on sandy soils, in several Mediterranean islands, in Chile, or in certain regions of Australia.
Where are the world's oldest vines?
Maribor, Slovenia: the oldest cultivated vine still productive
In Maribor, Slovenia, a Žametovka vine still grows against the facade of a house in the historic Lent district.
Its confirmed age exceeds 400 years and it continues to produce grapes. It is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest noble cultivated vine still productive in the world. Its annual harvest yields a symbolic quantity of wine, kept in small bottles offered as ceremonial gifts.
This vine is exceptional, but it does not constitute a vineyard in the commercial sense. To discover true ancient plots still used in wine production, one must look elsewhere.
Barossa Valley: a unique heritage in Australia
The Barossa Valley is home to some of the oldest productive plots on the planet. The region, not having been affected by phylloxera, has preserved vines planted from the earliest years of its viticultural development in the 1840s.
It notably contains very old Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Sémillon vines. Their preservation has become a real regional challenge, formalized by the Old Vine Charter.
Santorini and the Mediterranean islands
In Santorini, the volcanic and sandy soils have protected many vines from phylloxera. Assyrtiko vines, trained in a basket shape to resist the wind, can reach remarkable ages.
Etna, the Canary Islands, and some Portuguese islands also preserve ungrafted and sometimes pre-phylloxera plots. These terroirs remind us that the history of old vines is often closely linked to that of volcanic wines.
Chile: a long underappreciated heritage
Chile was naturally protected from phylloxera by its geography, between the Pacific Ocean, the Andes, the Atacama Desert, and the southern regions.
In the Maule and Itata valleys, very old plots of País, Carignan, Cinsault, Muscat, or Sémillon have thus passed through generations. Long destined for simple wines, they are now being rehabilitated by producers who are revealing their true potential.
Jumilla: the kingdom of old Monastrell
If there is one appellation inseparable from old vines in Spain, it is probably Jumilla.
More than 20% of the vineyard consists of vines over 30 years old, and the appellation has approximately 1,000 hectares of ungrafted vines, often over 50 years old. These old Monastrell, grown without irrigation on limestone soils in a semi-desert climate, produce wines of remarkable concentration while maintaining a beautiful freshness.
Priorat: legendary old Garnacha and Cariñena
In Priorat, old Garnacha and Cariñena vines take root in the famous llicorella soils, these black slates that make the appellation famous.
Some cuvées come from plots planted before 1945, a criterion used by the DOCa Priorat for certain mentions related to old vines. The low yields give birth to powerful, deep wines with great aging potential.
Douro: old mixed-planted plots
In the Douro, old vineyards are often composed of several grape varieties planted together. A single plot can bring together twenty, thirty, or sometimes more local varieties.
This historical field blending made it possible to spread risks and naturally preserve the wine's balance. Today, it gives rise to complex cuvées, impossible to summarize with a single grape variety.
Where are old vines found in France?
France also preserves a remarkable heritage, even if a large part of the European vineyards had to be replanted after the phylloxera crisis.
In the Rhône Valley, old Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre often yield deep and complex wines. Roussillon and Languedoc also preserve old plots of Carignan, Grenache, or Macabeu.
In Burgundy, old Pinot Noir or Chardonnay vines can bring more concentration and depth, while respecting the finesse characteristic of the appellations.
In the Beaujolais, many Gamay plots reach high ages, particularly in crus like Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, or Côte de Brouilly.
The Loire, Alsace, Champagne, Savoie, and the Southwest also possess many ancient vineyards, sometimes preserved over very small areas.
Our selection of wines from old vines
Not all old vines produce the same type of wine. Their interest depends on the grape variety, terroir, climate, and the winemaker's work.
Our selection offers four very different expressions, from Australia to Chile, via Burgundy and the Douro.
Hewitson, The Old Garden Mourvèdre 2020
One of the oldest Mourvèdre vineyards in the world
In the Barossa Valley, The Old Garden vineyard is home to Mourvèdre vines planted in 1853, at a time when phylloxera had not yet disrupted the world's vineyards.
These pre-phylloxera vines produce a rare, deep, and spicy wine. It offers notes of black cherry, pepper, licorice, and chocolate, supported by an elegant structure.
This cuvée is undoubtedly the most spectacular example of our selection: here, the age of the vines is no longer counted in mere decades, but in over a century and a half.
Itata's Centuries-Old White Heritage
Made from Sémillon vines over 120 years old, grown in Coelemu in the Itata Valley, Arcana reveals an unknown chapter of Chilean wine history.
Granitic soils rich in quartz, organic farming, and aging on lees produce a full-bodied, precise, and complex white wine that retains remarkable freshness.
This bottle reminds us that old vines are not exclusively for great red wines. They can also produce unique terroir-driven whites, capable of combining depth and tension.
Vincent Girardin, Volnay Vieilles Vignes 2019
Over Sixty Years of Pinot Noir in Côte de Beaune
In Volnay, Pinot Noir vines over 60 years old produce a red Burgundy where elegance takes precedence over power.
The depth of red fruits, floral nuances, and the finesse of the tannins illustrate another facet of old vines: not monumentality, but precision and aromatic complexity.
A beautiful way to discover how the age of the vines can complement the natural delicacy of Burgundian Pinot Noir.
Pingolé Tinto Vieilles Vignes 2023
One Plot, Over Twenty Grape Varieties, and the Soul of the Douro
Born from a unique plot of vines over 60 years old in the Távora Valley, this red blends over twenty traditional Douro grape varieties.
This ancient diversity, inherited from field blends, results in a complex wine, marked by black cherry, violet, spices, and a beautiful freshness.
Pingolé shows that the interest in old vines is not always about a single isolated grape variety. In some historic vineyards, several varieties still coexist in the same plot, creating a balance that modern plantings struggle to replicate.
These four bottles ultimately tell four ways of crossing time: a pre-phylloxera vine in Australia, a century-old Sémillon in Chile, a sixty-year-old Burgundian Pinot Noir, and a field blend plot in the Douro.
Four terroirs, four styles, but a single common thread: when old vines are well-cultivated and placed in the right location, they can produce wines of an inimitable depth.
FAQ: All About Old Vines
What does "Vieilles Vignes" mean on a bottle?
It indicates that the wine comes from vines considered old by the producer. Since 2024, the OIV proposes an international reference threshold set at 35 years, but the use of the term on labels is not yet everywhere based on mandatory and uniform certification.
How old must an old vine be?
A vine aged 35 years falls within the definition adopted by the OIV. In practice, many enthusiasts consider a vine truly old around 40 or 50 years. Vines over 100 years old are referred to as centenarian.
Why do old vines produce less grapes?
As it ages, the vigor of the plant generally decreases. It produces fewer bunches and often yields lower harvests. This decrease can lead to better concentration of the grapes, but it also makes the plot less profitable and more costly to maintain.
Do old vines necessarily make better wines?
No. Quality also depends on the terroir, the vintage, the health of the vines, and the work of the winemaker. Age is a potential, not a guarantee.
What is the oldest vine in the world?
The Žametovka vine located in Maribor, Slovenia, is recognized as the oldest noble cultivated vine still productive. Its confirmed age exceeds 400 years.
What is a pre-phylloxera vine?
It is a vine planted before the arrival of phylloxera in its region. These vines are very rare and often grow on their own roots, especially in areas naturally protected from the insect.
What is a franc de pied (ungrafted) vine?
A franc de pied vine grows directly on its own roots, without being grafted onto an American rootstock. It can be old or recent: the expression describes its planting method, not its age.
Why preserve old vines?
They represent an irreplaceable genetic, cultural, and viticultural heritage. Their low yield can make them economically fragile, but their diversity and adaptation to the terroir are valuable resources, especially in the face of climate change.
Time, the Invisible Grape Variety
Old vines alone do not guarantee a great wine.
But when they meet a great terroir and a winemaker who knows how to listen to them, they can produce bottles of incomparable depth.
They also carry a history: that of the generations who planted them, cultivated them, and sometimes saved them from uprooting. In an era where viticulture seeks to better understand the resilience of vineyards and the diversity of its heritage, their preservation has probably never been more important.
Old vines ultimately remind us that in wine, time is sometimes the most precious of grape varieties.
