The Oldest Grapevine

In the old city center of Maribor, also called Lent, in front of the Oldest Grapevine, grows over 450-year-old Žametovka or Modra kavčina vine variety. It is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest grapevine in the world, which still bears fruit annually.

The Oldest Grapevine was planted by the end of the Middle Ages when the Turks sieged Maribor. It survived despite the wrathful battles around it since it was once part of the city walls. Even the fires in the late Middle Ages could not destroy it, not even the vine louse, which caused most of the vineyards in Europe to wither, nor the allied bombing of the city.  

Its descendants grow on almost every continent and in many Slovenian cities and towns. To honor the Oldest Grapevine, several scenic wine roads were created, and numerous wineries in Maribor and its surrounding regions were established.

The Oldest Grapevine features a wine shop for visitors with a tasting space, where you can try the top-quality wines from the Štajerska Slovenia wine-growing region. We also invite you to guided tours of the rich wine heritage and museum artifacts. Select a favorite souvenir for yourself or your friends in the shop with souvenirs and excellent Slovenian chocolate.

Explore the Wine-tasting and snack offers in the Oldest Grapevine.

Each year the Oldest Grapevine hosts events with a wine and culinary topic. In the summer months, you can sit in the wine garden in the company of an excellent wine of the Štajerska region and enjoy the view of the venerable vine.

Other events:

• Cutting the Oldest Grapevine > an event with gifting of Oldest Grapevine to selected cities
• St. Martin's Celebration > the largest one-day celebration in Slovenia
• Oldest Grapevine Festival > top-quality tourist and culinary festival of culture and wine

The Oldest Grapevine is also the honorary seat of the Slovenian and international institutions, pledged to the celebration of wine and wine culture: The Honourable Wine Covenant of Saint Urban, the European Order of Wine Knights, the Slovene Order of Wine Knights, and the Association of Representatives of Slovene and Maribor Wine Queens.