IN THE EMBRACE OF THE OLDEST VINE IN THE WORLD

In the heart of the old city center on Lent, the oldest vine in the world still grows in front of the Old Vine House. The confirmed age of this “Žametovka” or “Modra Kavčina” vine is over 400 years, which won it a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest noble vine in the world still bearing grapes. The Old Vine is a symbol of the rich wine culture of Maribor, Styria, and all of Slovenia.

The Old Vine was planted towards the end of the Middle Ages when Maribor was facing the Ottoman invasion. It survived the furious fights between the invaders and the defenders of the city, as the Old Vine House used to be a part of the city wall. The vine was not harmed by the fires then, which occurred frequently due to wooden roof structures and straw coverings, nor by the vine lice that destroyed most of the other vines. Even though the bombardment of the Allied forces during World War II partly destroyed the Old Vine House, this resilient plant survived unscathed. Read more about the true Story of the World’s Oldest Vine.

Today, the Old Vine is the only plant with its own museum in the Old Vine House. The scions of the Old Vine grow on almost all continents and in several places in Slovenia. The Maribor Octet and the Neuvirtovi Štajerci band even recorded an anthem in its honor. Several picturesque wine cellars and wine roads in Maribor and nearby are also dedicated to the Old Vine.

The Old Vine House Winery is a true treasure trove of Maribor wine-growing districts, as it represents around 55 local winemakers who contribute to the collection of more than 200 different wine labels, including the Oceanus sparkling wine that matures for several months at the bottom of the Bay of Piran, earth-ripened orange Dolium wine and the like.