old vine wines

[wondersofwine]

Welcome to the board. Some of the board experts may flesh out my answer. "Old" is defined differently by different vintners but normally would mean vines planted at least 25 or 30 years ago and can mean 70, 80 or more years. Older vines tend to produce fewer grape clusters but the smaller crop gets nourishment and access to sun for ripening that overcrowded grapes don't get. The roots will extend further also which may bring in additional elements in the grape's flavor. I find a richness in the expression of old vine zinfandels and red burgundies that is missing in younger vineyards.