An ancient vine in Maribor, Slovenia, has been authenticated by experts as the world’s oldest producing grape vine. It is at least 400 years old, and its age has been confirmed by experts in both Paris and Slovenia. It also appeared in paintings known to have been completed between the years 1657 and 1681 which show that this elderly vine was already mature at the time.
Its fruit is also one of the oldest domesticated noble wine grapes known in Slovenia. Its descendants are now found on nearly every continent of the world.
Its owners still produce wine from Old Vine. They bottle anywhere from 35 to 55 kilograms annually, bottling the product in more than 100 2.5 decaliter glass bottles per year. The annual Pruning of the Old Vine is a ceremonial event. The scions are naturally highly sought after and the bestowal of the ancient plant’s scion is cause for celebration by the lucky cities chosen to receive one as a gift. Another annual ceremonial involves the harvest of its grapes which takes place as part of the Old Vine Festival.
Old Vine is registered in the Guinness Book of Records. This revered plant is carefully tended and watched over, and is showing no signs of weakness.
Old Vine might provide the perfect excuse to visit Maribor. A lively tourist industry has grown up around the old vine. Sightseers can visit the Old Vine House itself, visit wine cellars and museums, and just enjoy the town and its surroundings. All in all, Old Vine sounds like a good excuse to take in a part of traditional Slovenia.
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