MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025. BY LODI WINEGRAPE COMMISSION.
Featured image: Wente selection Chardonnay planted on St. George rootstock in 1953. Photo by Randy Caparoso.
This Fall, media and trade members are invited to take a deep dive into the world of old vines through the lens of northern California. A non-profit organization from the United Kingdom called Old Vine Conference Ltd, in partnership with ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers), will host a “Meeting of the Minds” for old vine lovers from October 31 through November 4, 2025. Additional sponsors include the Lodi Winegrape Commission, Wine Institute, Historic Vineyard Society, Galicea Mare, Vinchio Vaglio, Feudi di San Gregorio, Borgogno and Villa Bogdano 1880.
The 2025 Old Vine Conference: Meeting of the Minds involves a delicious, culture-filled journey through Napa, Sonoma and Lodi. The adventure kicks off with a Gala at CIA at Copia on October 31 where Jancis Robinson MW will deliver a keynote speech. The Gala includes a walk-around tasting featuring 130 wines crafted from historic vineyards across the globe. The Gala will be held in conjunction with the Wine Institute’s Global Buyer’s Marketplace event, meeting one of the Old Vine Conference’s critical missions: developing viable commercial models to make old vines work in the real world.
Next up is Sonoma, where guests will enjoy presentations, panels and hands-on masterclasses during indoor sessions on November 1, then take those lessons into the field on November 2. Both days offer tastings and special meals.
On November 3, the conference moves to Contra Costa County for another field tour and alfresco luncheon before heading to us in Lodi for more indoor sessions by old vine experts at Wine & Roses. This day concludes with a walk-around tasting and dinner at Oak Farm Vineyards.
A gorgeous, ancient Cinsault vine that survived Prohibition in Bechthold Vineyard, Mokelumne River – Lodi AVA.
Photo taken at age 130 (vine) by Stephanie Bolton, Lodi Grower Research & Education Director and lover of old vines.
Finishing off with a bang, attendees will tour historic Lodi vineyards and enjoy a closing lunch hosted by the Lodi Winegrape Commission on November 4. Lodi has made a concerted effort to honor and protect old vines, including establishing a website dedicated to them called savetheold.com.
“In the world of wine, nothing is quite as venerable as an old vine. As living pieces of agricultural history, deep-rooted vines 50 years of age or older produce perfectly ripe, concentrated grapes. This makes for elegant wines with a distinct sense of place of the vineyard. The trouble with old vines is that they are expensive to maintain. The older a vine becomes, the less fruit it yields. Lower yields mean less money for the grower. Not surprisingly, most old vines are kept for love or nostalgia rather than profit.” – Lodi Winegrape Commission, savetheold.com
Learn more and secure a ticket to the 2025 Old Vine Conference HERE.
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