OIV RESOLUTION RECOGNISES OLD VINES WORLDWIDE

Since its origins, Villa Bogdano 1880 – which has made biodiversity conservation one of the core values of its project – has invested in the preservation of the vast heritage of old vines in the estate (18 hectares including the rare, ultra- centenarian Tocai Friulano trained with ‘Cassone Padovano’ system), which have always been considered an inestimable asset for the company and the territory. The same commitment was the reason why the Estate chose to become one of the first sponsors of The Old Vine Conference (an international non-profit organisation founded by a group of Master of Wine), which aims to preserve old vines around the world and to make wines produced from old vines recognised as a specific commercial category due to their appreciated and distinctive organoleptic qualities.

Photo of the “Cassone Padovano” row of Tocai Friulano planted in the late 19th-early 20th century, preserved by Villa Bogdano 1880

Until now, there has been no internationally standardised regulation of whether wine can be labelled as being made with grapes from old vines and/or vineyards.

The recent resolution OIV-VITI 703-2024 adopted by the General Assembly of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) defines and recommends guidelines for the management of old vines and vineyards in the wine sector.

What has been established in this resolution?

First of all, the definitions:

Old vine: a plant with a documented age of at least 35 years; in the case of grafted vines, the connection between scion and rootstock must have remained undisturbed for at least 35 years.

Old vineyard: a parcel of land, continuous and legally delimited, with at least 85% of the vines meeting the definition of an old vine.

Why is this resolution so important?

In addition to giving definitions, the resolution recognises the social and economic value of old vines and vineyards, embracing in a practical sense the much-acclaimed and sought-after sustainability. The resolution, in fact, states that:

• old vines and vineyards offer environmental, social and economic benefits, contributing to the sustainability of the wine sector;
• the preservation of these vineyards is essential to preserve genetic diversity and cultural heritage;
• a common definition is needed to promote the study, protection and enhancement of these vineyards.

The same resolution also determines recommendations so that vines and vineyards can be included in the ‘old’ category:

• for vines: georeferencing, determination of age, identification of variety and rootstock, evaluation of the form of cultivation (pruning and training system), potential for product certification;
• for vineyards: cadastral identification, mapping of vines, verification of variety and age, evaluation of cultivation practices and certification potential.

Last but not least, specific recommendations are also made to the Member States:

• promote the cataloguing and preservation of old vineyards;
• make official data available to draw up vineyard maps;
• assess the effect of age on vine and vineyard performance;
• study the impact of viticultural practices on the longevity and resilience of vines;
• stimulate research into factors influencing the longevity and quality of old vines.

This resolution therefore represents a milestone for international viticulture as it is an important step towards the protection and enhancement of old vines and vineyards, contributing to the sustainability and preservation of the world’s viticultural heritage.