Old Vine Trophy
CELEBRATING HERITAGE VINES
Recognising producers working to preserve and protect old vines and spread awareness of the importance of nurturing heritage vineyards.
Launched in collaboration with The Old Vine Conference, producers wishing to be considered for the IWSC’s Old Vine Trophy are asked to highlight the age of the vines in the award submission process. After judging, a shortlist will be created of the best performing old vine entrants, and the winner will be selected from this shortlist.
Entry Criteria
To be considered for this trophy, all producers must have entered into the IWSC’s 2026 Wine Awards.
There is no legal definition of what constitutes an old vine, so the criteria for entry to this award is based on self-categorisation.
When submitting an entry to the IWSC, producers are required to state that the information they provide on the age of their vines, as well as all other entry information, is accurate to the best of their knowledge.
Producers making wine from old vines are asked to categorise their entrants under one of four age ranges:
- Minimum age 35 years
- Minimum age 70 years
- Minimum age 100 years
- Minimum age 125 years
Winner selection process
- Following all IWSC results announcements (including UK and Global Judging), the IWSC will review the medal performance of all producers who stated the age of their vines as 35 years and above.
- Based on the medal performance, a short list of nominees for the Old Vine Trophy will be created.
- The winner will be selected following a review by the IWSC Wine Judging Committee.
- The winner will be announced at the IWSC's 2026 Awards Celebration in November.
Q&A
What is the closing date for entries?
The closing date corresponds to the entry deadline for the competition to which you are submitting your wines. Please refer to the Deadlines page for details.
How will the award be judged?
Following our UK and Global Wine Judgings, the best-performing 'old vine' producers will be shortlisted for the trophy.
The shortlist will be announced by the IWSC before the winner is announced at the IWSC's 2026 Awards Celebration.
Is there a cost associated with entering this award?
There is no additional cost for this award beyond entry to the IWSC’s 2026 wine awards.
The Old Vine Conference is a non-profit company registered in the UK. To find out how to join them as a member, and to participate in their program of events, please visit oldvines.org