‘Old Vine’ is officially awarded a quality mark

From this autumn, an internationally recognised quality mark will be introduced for the first time, enabling officially registered Old Vine vineyards to distinguish themselves.
Text: Ingrid Larmoyeur (Wine Institute) | Image: Pexels 

Interest in old vines is growing worldwide. Not only because of their historical value, but also because many winemakers believe they can produce exceptional wines. The terms Old Vine and Vieilles Vignes are popular on wine labels, but there is no universally accepted definition. 

From 1 October 2026, winemakers with officially verified old vineyards will be able to use the Old Vine Registry seal on their bottles, websites and even at the vineyard itself. Importers, wine shops and wine competitions will also be permitted to display the seal. 

Quality mark

Why is this interesting? To date, there is no globally agreed or legally protected definition of ‘Old Vines’ or ‘Vieilles Vignes’. As a result, the criteria for when vines are considered ‘old’ vary from country to country, wine region to wine region and producer to producer. An age of 35 to 50 years is often used as a guideline, but there is no official threshold.

The new quality mark provides greater clarity on this point. Only vineyards listed in the Old Vine Registry and meeting the criteria may use the new seal. Furthermore, at least 85% of the vines must be 35 years old or older. There will be different variants for vineyards aged 35+, 50+, 75+, 100+ and even 150+ years. 

Old vines deserve protection

Old vines generally produce a lower yield. This often results in grapes with a higher concentration of aromas, flavours and structure. Many winemakers find that this can contribute to more intense and complex wines.

The aim of the new label is not only to give consumers greater certainty, but also to better protect old vineyards. If wine lovers recognise the value of these special vineyards and are willing to pay for them, there is a greater chance that they will be preserved for future generations. 

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