Tag: vineyards

Old Vine Registry Surpasses 4,000 Entries: Vineyards Planted in 1990 Now Eligible

The Old Vine Registry, recognized as the foremost global database dedicated to documenting old vine vineyards, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 4,000 entries. This accomplishment underscores the registry’s ongoing commitment to cataloging historic vineyards, with entries now encompassing 39 countries. In addition, vineyards established in 1990 are now eligible for inclusion. The registry aims to expand its database to 10,000 vineyards by 2027, reflecting its dedication to preserving viticultural heritage.

With the changing of the year, vineyards planted in 1990 are now 35 years old and are eligible for inclusion in the registry. Producers are encouraged to submit their vineyards at https://www.oldvineregistry.org/.

The OIV’s recently passed Resolution OIV-VITI 703-2024 “OIV definition and recommendations about old grapevines and old vineyards in the vitivinicultural sector” made the explicit recommendation to all wine regions around the world to “promote and encourage the cataloguing of old vineyards and old grapevines.”

The Old Vine Registry was conceived expressly for that purpose, with the idea that to study, preserve, or support old vines around the world, you first need to know where they all are. The registry launched in June of 2023 with 2183 entries and has grown steadily over the last year and a half.

“The recent OIV Resolution really validated what we’re doing,” says wine writer Alder Yarrow, who serves as the day-to-day manager of the registry. “I hope it will encourage both individual producers and whole regions to publish information about their old vines.”

Mombarone [Piedmont] Vineyards added to Historical Register

The Italian Ministry of Agriculture has officially recognized the historical and scenic value of the vineyards in the Canavese region, located on the left bank of the Dora Baltea River. These terraced vineyards, cultivated since medieval times, have been added to the National Register of Historical Rural Landscapes, a distinction that highlights their cultural and environmental significance. The recent announcement was welcomed by Bruno Mecca Cici, President of Coldiretti Torino, who described it as a crucial step in protecting and revitalizing the region’s heroic viticulture.

The register includes rural areas that have preserved their unique cultural and agricultural characteristics over centuries, becoming integral to the local landscape and heritage. In Canavese, the terraced vineyards exemplify human adaptation to the Alpine environment. The dry-stone walls supporting these terraces create a favourable microclimate for growing vines under challenging conditions by reflecting heat and stabilizing the terrain.

The winemaking tradition in Canavese is deeply rooted in local history. The terraces, locally known as tupiun, are supported by stone pillars called pilun, a centuries-old farming technique passed down through generations.

The Ministry’s recognition underscores the need to protect these vineyards not only for their cultural value but also for their role in preventing soil erosion and landslides on the region’s steep slopes. Maintaining these vineyards is considered heroic viticulture under Italian law, given the extreme conditions in which local farmers work. Despite their importance, these viticulturists face numerous challenges in sustaining their activity.

Mecca Cici stressed that inclusion in the National Register must be accompanied by concrete policies to support mountain viticulture. Proposed measures include protecting vineyards from wild animals, building rural roads and transport systems to improve access to terraced plots, and providing incentives to acquire abandoned land. There is also a push to develop tourism and infrastructure that could leverage the unique Canavese landscape for economic benefit.

Tourism promotion is seen as an opportunity to revive the local economy. Coldiretti Torino has advocated integrating the vineyards into existing tourist routes, such as the Via Francigena, and showcasing local features like the Balmetti of Borgofranco di Ivrea—natural cellars carved into rock used to store wine and other products.

Canavese wines are central to this revitalization effort. The region is home to renowned appellations such as Nebbiolo di Carema and Erbaluce di Caluso, wines that experts believe hold great potential in the face of climate change. Additionally, olive cultivation is being promoted on the same slopes, a practice that seemed improbable in this mountainous area until recently but is now yielding promising results.

The “2022 World’s Best Vineyards” revealed last night

World’s Best Vineyards has revealed this year’s top wine destinations for 2022 at an event held last night in Argentina’s wine capital, Mendoza. The annual list which highlights the world’s finest and most diverse vineyards across the globe announced the Top 50 with the innovative Antinori nel Chianti Classico in Tuscany, Italy, topping the list for the first time. Italy also celebrated the highest climber accolade with sparkling wine producer Ferrari Trento moving 50 places up the list to 11.

Spain’s Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal with its longstanding history and breathtaking architecture took second place for two years in a row, whilst Chilean vineyards, Montes and VIK Winery, achieved third and fourth place. Montes also took continent winner for South America, with Robert Mondavi Winery which is described as the ‘soul of Napa Valley’ topping North America. The best in Africa was revealed as Creation in South Africa, whilst Henschke in Australia topped the list with the stunning winery in the Eden Valley. France and Portugal had the highest overall split of vineyards with each taking 11 spots on this year’s Top 100 list.

The 2022 list includes more countries than ever before with 20 from all six continents being featured. It also includes exciting first-time entrants from India, Bulgaria and Greece highlighting the recent growth in the industry. There were more English entries than ever before with Balfour Winery (78), Gusbourne (85) and Nyetimber (93) joining Ridgeview at number 73.

This year’s host, Zuccardi Valle de Uco has been promoted to the World’s Best Vineyard’s Hall of Fame after coming top of the list three years in a row. Going forward the new category will be formed of vineyards that top the annual vote of the World’s 50 Best Vineyards and are therefore no longer eligible to be voted for on new editions of the list.

Andrew Reed, Managing Director Wine and Exhibitions at William Reed, commented that, “The World’s Best Vineyards highlights wine tourism destinations around the globe and now that travel is back on the cards, this year’s list is more important than ever for raising profiles with tourists and those looking for authentic and unique trips. We are so pleased to have been able to travel to Mendoza for this year’s event. It is a place of extraordinary beauty and of course, lots of amazing vineyards – the perfect wine tourism destination. Gracias!”

Dr Nora Vicario, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Province of Mendoza, said that: “We were thrilled to be able to host this year’s World’s Best Vineyards event in Mendoza. Here you can breathe in wine and a culture unlike anywhere else in the world. It is one of the great wine capitals and the combination of mountains, wine and ever-increasing diversity and innovation makes it a perfect travel destination. Congratulations to all the wineries listed this year!”

Congratulations to all the vineyards and estates. Here is a list of the top 50 winners:

1 @marchesiantinori
2 @marquesderiscal
3 @monteswines
4 @vik_wine
5 @schlossjohannisberg
6 @bodegastiopepe
7 @robertmondavi
8 @quintadocrasto
9 @catenawines
10 @bodegagarzon
11 @ferraritrento
12 @champagne_billecart_salmon
13 @smithhautlafitte
14 @dr.loosen
15 @champagnetaittinger
16 @quinta_soalheiro
17 @trapichewines
18 @closapalta
19 @aveledawines
20 @domaenewachau
21 @elenemigowines
22 @chateaumoutonrothschild_
23 @yquem
24 @opusonewinery
25 @salenteinbodega
26 @chateaupapeclement
27 @pichonbaron
28 @quintadoinfantado
29 @abadiaretuerta_
30 @casasdelbosque
31 @quinta_da_pacheca
32 @viumanentwinery
33 @ruinart
34 @familiatorreswines
35 @chateauhautbrion_
36 @henschke
37 @quintadobomfim
38 @creationwines
39 @kleinconstantia
40 @estate_argyros
41 @craggyrange
42 @quinta_nova
43 @chateaudeberne
44 @vivancoculturadevino
45 @donnafugatawine
46 @jordanwinery
47 @tokarawine
48 @quintadonoval_official
49 @penfolds
50 @winery.schlossgobelsburg

The top vineyards list can be found on www.worldsbestvineyards.com

#worldsbestvineyards2022 #worldsbestvineyards #awards #winetourism #vineyards #wine #winelovers #winery #bestwineries #winesoftheworld

Airbnb Adds a ‘Vineyards’ Category [ with 100,000+ Winery Vacation Experiences]

Last month Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky announced, at a media event in New York, the vacation rental platform’s new features, including a website redesign that now focuses on “Categories”.

The 56 Categories were created through machine learning, Airbnb’s curation team and reflect industry trends. According to the company, nights booked in the first quarter of 2022 for summer travel to unique homes have grown 80 % over 2019.

“Vineyards” was one of the listed categories. Visiting a vineyard is one of the best ways to better appreciate and learn about wine.  For wine lovers, one of the best experiences is to wake up to vineyard views, eat local delicacies and to taste the terroir of the wines!

#airbnb #wine #instatravel #travelgram #winetourism #vineyards #vines#travel #traveldiaries #wheretonext #airbnbvineyards #wineestates #winelovers #winelover #wine #vin #vino #winewednesday #ww #winenews #tourismnews

The 2nd Old Vine Conference Takes Place Online June 30-July 1, 2021

The second Old Vine Conference is set to take place online June 30 to July 1, 2021, with a special focus on genetics and heritage.

The event is free to attend and includes global speakers from the world of wine, including Bolivia, Australia, Argentina and France.

The Old Vine Conference is a non-profit organization seeking to highlight the work of old vine pioneers, advocate the scientific and oenological case for old vines, help build old vine wines into a recognized category and slow the loss of important old-vine vineyards worldwide.

Speakers at this second event include Dr Dylan Grigg, old vine researcher and founder at Meristem Viticulture from Australia; Dr Laura Catena, Catena Zapata from Argentina; Brigitte Chevalier, owner and winemaker at Domaine de Cébène in France; Nayan Gowda, winemaker and consultant to Jardin Oculto in Bolivia; Jean-Philippe Roby from the Bordeaux Sciences Agro and Institute of Vine and Wine Scientific Institute of Bordeaux and Katie Jones from Domaine Jones.

The event will be hosted and moderated by Jane Anson, Sarah Abbott MW, and Tim Atkin MW and will focus on the work that producers and viticulturalists are doing to safeguard old vines around the world.

“We are delighted to have such an exciting lineup of speakers for our second virtual conference,” said Sarah Abbott MW.

“Since our first event in March, we have been contacted by passionate winemakers and old vines experts from around the world who want to engage with our initiative. This shows that there is a real need to harness this passion and turn it into real actions that can help secure the future of old vines around the world.

Registration: https://www.oldvines.org/

#wine #vin #vino #instawine #onlineevent #vines #oldvines #vineyard #winelovers #tradeevent #winejournalists #winenews