Swan Valley Old Vine Charter

The Swan Valley has some of the oldest vineyards in Western Australia, and the world. Within a decade the majority of vineyards in the Swan Valley will be classified as Old Vine.

Old Vines present a unique opportunity to position and promote Swan Valley wine, as testament to the families who for generations have produced wine, with their story integral to the region’s heritage and wine quality today.

The Swan Valley Old Vine Charter is the idea of Swan Valley generational winemakers which has the support of the Swan Valley Tourism Alliance, the Swan Valley Winemakers Association and the Grape Growers Association of WA, all whom have representation on a working group established to guide the development of the project; which is funded by the State Government, via Tourism WA, and is being administered by the City of Swan.

The working group have agreed for the project to be based on the Barossa Old Vine Charter, with the Barossa Grape & Wine Association acknowledged for allowing the Swan Valley/Swan District to model their criteria and classifications which are:

• Old Vine equal or greater than 35 years of age;
• Survivor Vine equal or greater than 70 years of age;
• Centenarian Vine equal or greater than 100 years of age;
• Ancestor Vine equal or greater than 125 years of age.

Further Barossa Old Vine Charter information can be found here - barossawine.com/vineyards/old-vine-charter/

The Swan Valley Old Vine Charter seeks to determine the location of vines within the Swan Valley and Swan District through a vineyard register for the purpose of encouraging old vine preservation and use in wine production.

As the project progresses, the working group will consider how winemakers can collaborate to pursue the goal of releasing wines made solely from old vines and capitalise on the unique marketing opportunity this presents for the Swan Valley. While wineries may currently mention on their labels that their wine is made from fruit from old vines, to promote this charter collectively shows unity and purpose to consumers. Swan Valley winemakers will be seen to have strength as a region to preserve established vineyards and produce the finest wines from them.

The working group is firm in its conviction of our responsibility to do all we can to protect the future of all vineyards wherever possible, knowing that one day they will be classified as Old Vine under this Charter. Working collectively makes for a more sustainable region on all levels, and in the end will add value for growers, winemakers and the final product, which in turn will continue to further build the reputation of the Swan Valley.

Return to Old Vine Register