What is Old Vine Wine? 10 Best Bottles, Investment Potential

Old vine wine is a product of grape vines at least 20 years old. 

Vine age is often considered an important aspect when purchasing investment-grade wine, as some wine enthusiasts believe an older vine results in a better wine.

That’s because old vines usually produce more concentrated, structured, and elegant wines. Additionally, older vineyards have rich history and traditions that only add to the charm of these bottles. 

Let’s discover all about old vine wine, including its origins, the typical life cycle of the grapevines, and what makes old vine wine so extraordinary. 

We’ll also explore the 10 best old vine bottles to buy right now and how Vinovest can help you obtain these investment-worthy wines.

Origins of Old Vine Wine

Some vines have been around for centuries. However, the term ‘old vine wine’ on wine labels is a fairly new concept mainly used as a marketing tool for brands.

Legally, there is no official definition of old vine wine. 

So whether a wine bottle really is a product of old vines often boils down to the producer’s reputation. Additionally, if a producer sells both old vine wines and regular wines, it’s likely the two varieties would have distinct characteristics. 

Some regions have old vine regulatory authorities that establish guidelines on labeling bottles. For example, South Africa’s Old Vine Project focuses on preserving old vineyards. According to its founder, Rosa Kruger, wines made from the region’s 35+-year-old vines can have a Certified Heritage Vineyards seal. 

The Old Vine Conference (a UK initiative) that began in 2021 is another entity that intends to create a credible old vine category in the wine industry.

A Brief Look At A Grapevine’s Life

What makes old vineyards' lifecycle interesting is the qualities they demonstrate when they age. 

Let’s explore what characteristics emerge at each of these stages:

• Adolescence: It takes three years for a grape vine to grow sufficiently to produce grapes for wine.
• Adulthood: When a grape vine reaches 7-10 years, the intensity and quality of the fruit increase, and their wines earn respect in the industry.
• Maturity: When a vine reaches 25 years, it enters peak maturity. The harvests are smaller, the fruit has a richer flavor, and the wine has more in-depth character and higher prices. This is the last stage in a vine’s development. 

After that, the vine enters the “Old Vine” category. Here are a few of the oldest vines in the world:

• The Zametovka vine in Slovenia is the oldest grape-producing vine and has been around since the 17th century. 
• A 350+-year-old Versoaln vine grows in the South Tyrol wine region in Italy. 
• The Great Vine that produces Schiava Grossa grapes at the Hampton Court Palace, England, is thought to be the oldest and largest vine in the world. It was transplanted to its current location in 1763. 

What Makes Old Vine Wine So Extraordinary?

Wine from old vineyards offers more concentration, intensity, and structure than wine from younger vines. 

Let’s explore some of the main characteristics of old vines:

1. Produces Ripe and Concentrated Fruit

The older the vine, the more consistently it yields ripe and juicy fruits, leading to better wine. The tannins produced from older vines are also much smoother. 

Despite the small harvests, old vines produce wines that have intense flavors. So you don’t have to worry about bitter or weak tasting notes. 

2. Has Strong, Deep Roots

Old vines have their roots deep in the soil, drawing essential nutrients and water. The deep roots protect and help the vines go through droughts and floods so adverse weather will not negatively impact the fruit and the resulting wine. 

Ready to join the wine club and explore the best old vine wines? 

10 Best Old Vines Wine Bottles To Buy

Here are the most exquisite old vine wine bottles to buy in 2022:

1. 2015 Turkey Flat 'The Ancestor' 1847 Single Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia ($102)
2. 2004 Penfolds Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley, Australia ($747)
3. 2016 Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino DOCG, Campania, Italy ($31)
4. 2018 I. Brand & Family Enz Vineyard Old Vine Mourvedre, Lime Kiln Valley, USA ($47)
5. 2017 Robert Mondavi Winery To Kalon I Block Fume Blanc, Napa Valley, USA ($89)
6. 2016 Bethel Heights Vineyard Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, USA ($38)
7. 2010 Miguel Torres 'Manso de Velasco' Cabernet Sauvignon Viejas Vinas, Curico Valley, Chile ($65)
8. 2010 Ridge Vineyards Geyserville, Alexander Valley, USA ($69)
9. 2014 Ramey Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, USA ($70)
10. 2016 A.A. Badenhorst Ramnasgras Cinsault, Swartland, South Africa ($56)

1. 2015 Turkey Flat 'The Ancestor' 1847 Single Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia ($102)

This great wine has a bouquet of tarragon, black cherry, and spice notes. The palate has grainy tannins, dark fruit, fennel, and sweet potato tasting notes.

• Old Vine Vineyard: The Ancestor - Barossa, South Australia

The Ancestor is the oldest continually producing commercial vineyard in the world.

• Planted In: 1847

• Grape variety: Predominantly Shiraz

2. 2004 Penfolds Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley, Australia ($747)

Here is a fine wine with intense acacia flower, blueberry, and black truffle aroma notes. This red wine’s palate is opulent with macerated black cherry flavor notes and a long finish.

• Old Vine Vineyard: Block 42, Kalimna Vineyard - Barossa, South Australia

Block 42 at the Kalimna Vineyard is believed to be the oldest continuously producing Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in the world. 

• Planted In: 1888

• Grape Variety:Cabernet Sauvignon 

3. 2016 Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino DOCG, Campania, Italy ($31)

This white wine has yellow peach, candied orange, and chamomile floral aroma notes along with citrus and stone fruit tasting notes. 

• Old Vine Vineyard: La Vigna di Lapio - Campania, Italy

The vineyard has original rootstocks that are 8 feet tall. 

• Planted In: Mid-1800s

• Grape Variety: Predominantly Fiano

4. 2018 I. Brand & Family Enz Vineyard Old Vine Mourvedre, Lime Kiln Valley, USA ($47)

Here is a spectacular wine with anise spice and dried cherry aroma notes, accompanied by zesty tannins. 

• Old Vine Vineyard: Enz Vineyard - Lime Kiln Valley, California

Enz Vineyard is the only vineyard in the Lime Kiln Valley and has gnarled, basket-trained vines.

• Planted In: 1890s

• Grape Varieties: 

  • Alicante Bouschet
  • Cabernet Pfeffer
  • Carignan
  • Mission
  • Mourvèdre
  • Orange Muscat
  • Palomino
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Zinfandel

5. 2017 Robert Mondavi Winery To Kalon I Block Fume Blanc, Napa Valley, USA ($89)

This fine wine has lychee, vanilla, and exotic white flower aromas. The palate is lush with green apple, lemon, and freshly grated ginger flavor notes. 

• Old Vine Vineyard: To Kalon I Block - Oakville, California

This famed vineyard has the oldest and finest Sauvignon Blanc vines in North America.

• Planted In: 1945

• Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

6. 2016 Bethel Heights Vineyard Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, USA ($38)

Here is an exquisite Pinot Noir red wine with black cherry and peppercorn aroma notes. The palate has complex black tea, cardamom, and fruit flavor notes. 

• Old Vine Vineyard: Bethel Heights Estate Vineyards - Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon

This vineyard was previously an abandoned walnut orchard converted into 50-acres of vines. Today, the gnarly old vines offer wines with tremendous depth and distinct personality. 

• Planted In: 1977

• Grape Varieties: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

7. 2010 Miguel Torres 'Manso de Velasco' Cabernet Sauvignon Viejas Vinas, Curico Valley, Chile ($65)

This great wine has rich fruit preserves, leather, and black fruit aromas, along with toasted bread, spice, and fruit flavors.

• Old Vine Vineyard: Manso de Velasco - Curicó Valley, Chile

Manso de Velasco vineyard has 50ha of well-drained volcanic soil that grows Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. 

• Planted In: 1900

• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

8. 2010 Ridge Vineyards Geyserville, Alexander Valley, USA ($69)

Here is an exquisite old Zinfandel vine wine with blackberry and ripe cherry aroma notes accompanied by smoky herb and dark fruit tasting notes.

The winemaker only uses non-industrial vinification techniques, including natural yeast fermentation. 

• Old Vine Vineyard: Geyserville Vineyard - Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

The Geyserville Vineyard of Dry Creek Valley has some of the oldest vines in Sonoma County, mainly planted with old vine Zinfandel.

• Planted In: 1892

• Grape Variety: Primarily Zinfandel

9. 2014 Ramey Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, USA ($70)

This wine has an incredible nose of fresh white peaches, lemon curd, and white fruit notes. The palate is complex and balanced with peach and cream flavors. 

The winemaker at Ramey Ritchie uses natural yeast and native malolactic fermentation. After this, the wine is aged in 30% new French oak barrels.  

• Old Vine Vineyard: Ritchie Vineyard - Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

The beautiful old vine lands in the heart of the Russian River Valley are among the oldest in the valley. They’re also one of the most esteemed Chardonnay vineyards in California. 

• Planted In: 1972

• Grape Variety: Chardonnay

10. 2016 A.A. Badenhorst Ramnasgras Cinsault, Swartland, South Africa ($56)

Here we have a wine with cherry and plum fruit aromas along with smooth tannins and light minerality.

• Old Vine Vineyard: Ramnasgras Cinsault Vineyard - Swartland, South Africa

These old vines are planted on decomposed granite soils.

• Planted In: 1954

• Grape Variety: Cinsault

Investing In Old Vine Wine

Wines made from old vine plantings often have superior quality — the strong vines produce intense fruit, and in the hands of a reputed producer, the resulting wine is exceptional. 

Old vine wine is also generally produced in limited quantities and often carries a high price tag.

The best way to invest in such a wine is through Vinovest. Vinovest is a wine investment platform that helps you buy, store, and sell fine wine bottles from North America, New Zealand, Sonoma Valley, and other renowned wine regions.

Are There Affordable Old Vine Wine Bottles?

Some wine regions can afford to make old vine wine at lower price points. Here’s why:

• Some grape varietals like Zinfandel can continue to yield significant quantities of fruit even if the vines are aged.
• Since there is no proper legislation, some wine producers may not necessarily make their wines from 100% old vine grapes. They might mix in younger grapes, allowing them to price their wines lower.
• Older vineyards tend to have a variety of grapes, like Trousseau and Petite Sirah, planted. This can result in cross-pollination between the vines, which means the grower can’t have a high price tag on the produce.

Celebrate Exceptional Old Vine Wine

Treating yourself to a glass of old vine wine is a great way to immerse yourself in the history of the vines and terroir. Some of the most sophisticated old vine wine labels also make a fantastic addition to any wine enthusiast’s portfolio. 

As a wine lover, the best way to invest in a bottle or two of this or any other fine wine (whether it’s from New Zealand, France, or Sonoma Valley) is through Vinovest.