Our Community

Supporting the people behind old vines

Old Vine Project community of vine custodians and member producers, Western Cape, South Africa

The Old Vine Project works with a diverse community of producers, viticulturists, winemakers, and farm workers who care for South Africa's heritage vineyards. Through education, training, and collaboration, we support the people behind old vines - building skills, sharing knowledge and strengthening the future of the category.

what we stand for

Our community programmes

Our community programmes ensure that both vineyards and the people who care for them can thrive for generations to come. We believe the longevity of South Africa's oldest and most precious vines depends not only on the land, but on the talent, knowledge, and commitment of every person who tends them.

Education

Sharing specialised knowledge on old vine care, pruning science, and the broader winemaking context.

Training

Hands-on skills development for pruners, viticulturists, and farm workers in heritage vineyards.

Collaboration

Connecting producers, workers, and industry experts to grow a shared knowledge base across the sector.

Old Vine Project research team recording heritage vineyard data in the field, South Africa

The Old Vine Pruning Course

The foundation of a great wine always starts in the vineyard. Older vineyards tend to bear less fruit, making financial viability per hectare a key challenge for growers - but the secret to enhanced yields lies in the skill and knowledge of the people who prune them.

FELCO Africa and the OVP designed this specialised course to motivate, empower, and share knowledge on how to treat and prune old vines with the care and respect they deserve.

Learn About Our Pruning Course

Join the Old Vine Project community

Become a member to access the annual Pruning Course for your vineyard teams, and connect with those who share your commitment to South Africa's heritage vineyards.

Join Now