Jancis Robinson, MW Keynote Speaker, In Conversation with Paul Draper Among Speakers
June 26, 2025 (San Francisco, CA) — Registration is officially open for The Old Vine Conference 2025: Meeting of the Minds, a landmark event dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the world’s heritage vineyards. This seventh edition of The Old Vine Conference is set to be the most significant gathering yet for the global old vine movement, marking its first in-person iteration in the United States with a dynamic blend of tastings, seminars, panel debates, masterclasses, and old vine vineyard visits.
Set to take place from October 31 to November 4, 2025, in Northern California, The Old Vine Conference 2025 is proudly held in partnership with Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP). The conference will bring together an international audience of old vine pioneers and guardians, thought-leaders, media, buyers, distributors, sommeliers, Masters of Wine, winemakers, and key opinion leaders from around the world to address the most pressing issues facing old vines globally.
The Old Vine Conference is honored to announce an impressive lineup of confirmed speakers and seminar presenters:
Jancis Robinson, MW: Award-winning wine writer, journalist, and author
Paul Draper: Chairman of the Board, Winemaker Emeritus, Ridge Vineyards
Rosa Kruger: Founder and Chairperson of The Old Vine Project in South Africa
Dr. Laura Catena: Managing Director, Catena Zapata & Founder, Catena Institute of Wine
“California, with its unrivalled heritage of old vines, is the obvious place to celebrate the superiority of wine from these historic deep-rooted marvels, and to encourage their preservation,” explains Jancis Robinson, MW.
“We are thrilled to bring this unparalleled event for the global wine community to Northern California,” says Belinda Stone, Director of The Old Vine Conference. “Participation from luminaries like Jancis Robinson and Paul Draper, underscore the importance and urgency of our mission to safeguard these invaluable old vines. We invite everyone passionate about the future of wine to join us.”
Rebecca Robinson, Executive Director of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP), adds, “Partnering with The Old Vine Conference for this momentous event is a natural fit for ZAP. Protecting historic Zinfandel vineyards, many of which are old vines with deep heritage, is central to our mission, and we look forward to welcoming attendees to this crucial meeting of minds.”
The Old Vine Conference 2025 is made possible thanks to the generous support of its sponsors: California Wines/Wine Institute, Moşia Galicea Mare, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Vinchio Vaglio, Feudi di San Gregorio, Borgogno, Villa Bogdano 1880, Historic Vineyard Society, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Sonoma County Winegrowers, Oak Farm Vineyards and Three Wine Company.
Early bird registration is now open! Secure your place and take advantage of special pricing by registering today at: https://zinfandel.org/old-vine-conference-2025/
About The Old Vine Conference
The Old Vine Conference is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a global network to establish a new category for wine from heritage vineyards. Through conferences, research, partnerships, tastings, and field trips, The Old Vine Conference connects, educates, and inspires the global wine industry to safeguard old vines of qualitative, cultural, and ecological value. www.oldvines.org
About Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP)
Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) is a non-profit organization founded in 1991, committed to promoting Zinfandel, a grape variety deeply intertwined with California’s wine history. Comprised of winemakers, grape growers, and wine enthusiasts, ZAP’s mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate Zinfandel’s unique place in California wine, advocating for the protection of historic Zinfandel vineyards. www.zinfandel.org