The Oldest Grapevine

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

The Oldest Grapevine was planted towards the end of the Middle Ages when Maribor faced Ottoman invasion. It survived the furious fights between the invaders and the defenders of the city, as the Oldest Grapevine 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 Oldest Grapevine House, this resilient plant survived unscathed. Read more about the true Story of the World`s Oldest Vine.

Today, the Oldest Grapevine is the only plant with its museum in the Oldest Grapevine 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 Oldest Grapevine sort and harvest

• The Oldest Grapevine bears grapes of the “žametovka” or the “modra kavčina” sort, one of Slovenia's first domesticated noble vine sorts.
• The yearly harvest of around 35 to 55 kg of grapes is made into wine and poured into 2.5 dl bottles designed by a famous artist Oskar Kogoj. The bottles are a valuable protocol gift – only a hundred are filled every year!

The Anthem to Oldest Grapevine

It is customary to sing while drinking wine. Songs of love, pain, happiness, and truth. This is why the Oldest Grapevine also has its anthem, and, as they say, you are not a true citizen of Maribor unless you know the Oldest Grapevine Anthem.

(Performed by: Neuvirtovi Štajerci and the Maribor Octet; recorded by Radio Maribor.)

You did not understand? Here are the Oldest Grapevine Anthem lyrics.