How to Identify Old Vine Wines on a Bottle Label & Why Old Vine Wines Matter More Than Ever
- Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
- 4 minutes ago
- 6 min read
From volcanic Assyrtiko in Santorini to historic South African Chenin Blanc, old vine wines are becoming some of the most sought-after bottles in the wine world. And they need protection!
But what exactly is an old vine wine? How do you identify old vine wines on a bottle label? And are old vine wines actually better?
These were some of the conversations dominating this year’s Old Vine Conference, a fascinating event dedicated to preserving some of the world’s oldest vineyards and exploring why mature vines produce such distinctive wines.
Among the wines I was most excited to taste was Assyrtiko from Santorini.
Saline, mineral, textured, and full of tension, it was exactly the kind of wine that reminds you why old vineyards matter so much.
In a world increasingly driven by consistency, volume, and commercial winemaking, old vine wines often offer something entirely different: individuality, complexity, authenticity, and a genuine sense of place.
They are wines that tell stories through the vineyard.
And increasingly, wine lovers are beginning to seek them out.
What Is an Old Vine Wine?
One of the most common questions in wine is: what counts as an old vine?
There is no single global legal definition for old vine wines, but in most wine regions, vines over 35 years old are generally considered “old vines”.
Some vineyards, however, are dramatically older.
Across regions such as Santorini, Rioja, Barossa Valley, South Africa, and parts of California, there are vineyards containing vines that are 80, 100, or even 150 years old.
As vines age, they naturally produce fewer grapes.
Lower yields often result in wines with greater concentration, texture, depth, and complexity.
But old vine wines are not simply about power.
The finest examples often show balance, freshness, precision, and a stronger expression of terroir — the influence of soil, climate, altitude, and landscape on flavour.
That is what makes them so compelling.
Why Old Vine Vineyards Produce More Characterful Wines
Many winemakers believe older vines produce better balanced fruit because the vines have spent decades adapting to their environment.
Their root systems often grow significantly deeper into the soil, allowing them to access water and nutrients more effectively during drought conditions and extreme weather.
This can create wines with:
Greater concentration
More texture and complexity
Natural balance
Fresher acidity
Stronger terroir expression
More consistent ripening
Older vineyards are also often farmed traditionally, with lower intervention and smaller yields.
In many cases, they preserve historic grape varieties and regional winemaking heritage that might otherwise disappear.
That is one reason old vine wines are becoming increasingly important as climate change and commercialisation continue to reshape the wine world.
Santorini Assyrtiko: One of the Best Examples of Old Vine Wine
Santorini is one of the world’s most fascinating wine regions and one of the greatest examples of why old vineyards matter.
The island’s volcanic soils, intense sunlight, dry climate, and fierce winds create wines unlike almost anywhere else on earth.
Assyrtiko, Santorini’s flagship grape variety, thrives in these extreme conditions.
The wines are often intensely mineral and saline, layered with citrus, smoke, volcanic notes, and razor-sharp acidity balanced by remarkable texture.
Many of Santorini’s vineyards are also exceptionally old.
Because the island’s sandy volcanic soils protected the vines from phylloxera, many vineyards remain ungrafted and
incredibly ancient.
Traditional basket-trained vines, known as kouloura, are woven low to the ground to protect grapes from intense winds and heat.
The result is wines with extraordinary energy, precision, and identity.
Exactly the kind of wine that demonstrates why old vine vineyards are so special.
How to Identify Old Vine Wines on a Bottle Label
One of the easiest ways to identify old vine wines is by carefully reading the wine label.
Common phrases include:
Old Vine
Old Vines
Vieilles Vignes
Alte Reben
Viñas Viejas
Old Bush Vine
Heritage Vineyard
Old Vine Reserve
However, one of the biggest misconceptions in wine is that these terms are always regulated.
In most countries, they are not.
That means producers can sometimes use “old vine” terminology without any official guarantee regarding vine age.
This is why understanding producers, wine regions, and certification systems becomes so important.
South Africa’s Certified Heritage Vineyards Seal
South Africa has become one of the most important countries in the world for old vine wines because it introduced the first officially certified old vine system globally.
Founded by viticulturist Rosa Kruger, the Old Vine Project was created to help preserve South Africa’s historic vineyards before many disappeared permanently.
In 2018, the project launched the Certified Heritage Vineyards seal.
If you see this seal on a bottle of South African wine, it guarantees the wine comes from vineyards at least 35 years old.
The label also includes the vineyard planting date, verified through South Africa’s vineyard records dating back to 1900.
For wine lovers, this makes South Africa one of the easiest and most trustworthy places to confidently identify genuine old vine wines.
How to Spot Genuine Old Vine Wines
If you are shopping for old vine wines, particularly South African bottles, look for:
The Certified Heritage Vineyards seal
Vineyard planting dates
Old Bush Vine terminology
Single vineyard wines
Heritage vineyard references
Traditional winemaking language
Regional vineyard information
These details often signal wines with greater authenticity, vineyard character, and terroir expression.
Affordable Old Vine Wines Available in UK Supermarkets
One of the biggest misconceptions about old vine wines is that they are always expensive.
While some old vine wines are highly collectible, there are also brilliant affordable old vine wines available in UK supermarkets and wine merchants.
Several excellent “Old Vine” and “Old Bush Vine” wines now offer fantastic value while still showcasing the concentration, texture, and complexity associated with mature vineyards.
Here are some affordable old vine wines worth looking out for in UK supermarkets.
One of the best-value supermarket examples of South African old vine wine.
This vibrant Chenin Blanc offers tropical fruit, honeyed texture, citrus freshness, and impressive depth for the price.
Bush vines, reestanding vines traditionally associated with older vineyards, often produce wines with concentration and natural balance.
Available through Tesco, this Spanish Garnacha is one of the best affordable old vine red wines currently available in supermarkets.
Produced from dry-farmed mature vines, it delivers juicy raspberry fruit, spice, concentration, and freshness while remaining incredibly approachable.
Carignan can produce deeply characterful wines when sourced from mature vineyards.
This Morrisons bottle offers bold blackberry fruit, dark plum, warming spice, and richer structure that reflects naturally lower-yielding vines.
A highly rated and budget-friendly Spanish red combining soft tannins, bright berry fruit, and subtle spice with impressive complexity.
It is a fantastic introduction to old vine Garnacha.
Frequently featured in supermarket wine promotions, this fruit-forward Spanish red offers ripe berry flavours, smooth texture, and concentrated fruit from mature Garnacha vineyards.
An accessible and affordable way to explore old vine wines.
Other Old Vine Producers Worth Looking Out For
If you are beginning to explore old vine wines, there are several producers consistently associated with mature vineyards and heritage-focused winemaking.
Known for its Argentine Malbec, Trivento works with mature vineyards in Mendoza, producing wines with richer texture, concentration, spice, and balance.
Their wines offer an accessible introduction to the depth older vineyards can bring.
One of Rioja’s most respected producers, Ramón Bilbao has long championed historic Spanish vineyards and traditional winemaking techniques.
Their wines combine freshness, structure, elegance, and regional identity beautifully.
One of Spain’s most important family-owned wine estates, Torres has played a major role in preserving old vineyards and indigenous grape varieties across Spain.
Many of their wines focus on terroir, sustainability, and regional heritage.
Why Old Vine Wines Matter More Than Ever
The Old Vine Conference was a powerful reminder that some of the world’s greatest wines begin with very old roots.
Whether it is volcanic Assyrtiko from Santorini, historic Rioja vineyards, or certified South African old vine Chenin Blanc, these wines represent something increasingly rare in modern wine.
Patience. Heritage. Identity. Connection to place.
They are wines shaped slowly over decades rather than manufactured for immediacy.
And increasingly, those are exactly the kinds of wines many people are searching for.
Because some of the most exciting wines in the world do not begin in the winery. They begin in very old vineyards. Elizabeth Hawthorthwaite
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