Learn More
certified Heritage vineyard
[ˈsɜːrtɪfaɪd ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ ˈvɪnjɑːrd] noun
A vineyard officially recognised as being 35 years of age or older.
Old Vine Project
Preserving South Africa’s vineyards
Founded in 2002 by vineyard manager, Rosa Kruger, the Old Vine Project is a non-profit company that certifies and protects the country’s heritage vines.
Beyond certification, we advance research, train vine custodians, and promote climate-resilient practices - ensuring today’s young vineyards become the heritage vineyards of tomorrow.
“It’s no surprise to me that a significant number of my Wines and Winemakers of the Year have an old vine connection, confirming how vital the Old Vine Project is to the South African wine industry and why the country’s heritage vineyards are so unique.”
Tim Atkin MW
Global recognition
A world standard,
officially recognised
In 2024, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) formally adopted the 35-year benchmark - recognising any single grape plant over 35 years old as an 'old vine' on a global scale. What the Old Vine Project pioneered in South Africa is now the world's definition.
The OIV
International Organisation of Vine and Wine
The OIV is the principal intergovernmental organisation in the vine and wine sector, representing 50 member states
Our community
SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE BEHIND OLD VINES
The Old Vine Project works with a diverse community of producers, viticulturists, winemakers, and farm workers who care for South Africa’s heritage vineyards.
Through education, training, and collaboration, we support the people behind old vines - building skills, sharing knowledge, and strengthening the future of the category. Our community programmes ensure that both vineyards and the people who care for them can thrive for generations to come.
Building climate resilience through old vines
According to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), average surface temperatures in southwestern Africa are projected to increase at twice the global average by 2050. The region may experience an average temperature increase of up to 2.5 °C and a reduction in rainfall of up to 25%, alongside more frequent extreme weather events such as heatwaves, fires, floods, and droughts.
These projections underscore the urgency of implementing sustainable viticultural practices and further developing the skills of vineyard teams to ensure long-term resilience. They also highlight the important lessons old vineyards can offer in understanding resilience and adapting to a changing climate.
The Old Vine Academy
Building skills to sustain South Africa’s oldest vineyards
The Old Vine Academy supports training across the industry, from vineyard workers to sommeliers and wine professionals. Alongside online courses, we offer practical, in-field pruning programmes that build the skills needed to care for vines over 35 years old.
Our pruning course
BUILDING PRUNING SKILLS TO SUSTAIN SOUTH AFRICA’S OLDEST VINEYARDS
The longevity of old vineyards rely on skilled vineyard management and careful pruning practices. To help preserve these living treasures, the OVP presents an annual specialised Old Vine Pruning Course in collaboration with FELCO Africa, empowering vineyard teams across South Africa with the knowledge and skills needed to care for old vines and viticulture in general for generations to come.
Research & Findings
New research is continuously conducted on old vines internationally. It helps build a clearer understanding of how our vineyards perform, how they respond to changing conditions, and what’s needed to keep them productive over time. The work feeds directly into better farming decisions and a stronger future for old vines.
130+
Old Vine Project
Members
5 417
Hectares of Old Vine In South Africa
350+
Certified Heritage Vineyards Wines Registered Per Year
Subscribe to our newsletter
To Stay in touch with the latest news of the old vine project