Text and photos: Juan David Latorre
The ambassador of Slovenia, Tadej Rupel, handed over to the director of the Real Jardín Botánico-CSIC, in Madrid, María P. Martín Esteban, a root of the oldest vine in the world, the Žametovka or Modra Kavčina, with more than 400 years of history.
The vine was planted in a privileged place of the Real Jardín by the specialized workers of the royal entity and will be cared for, monitored and pampered with regular communication with the Slovenian Embassy in the future.
In the heart of the old town in Lent, situated on the left bank of the river Drava, from Maribor (Slovenia), still grows the oldest vine in the world. The confirmed age of this Žametovka or Modra Kavčina vine is over 400 years old, which earned it a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest noble vineyard still with grapes. The oldest vine symbolizes the rich wine culture of Maribor, Styria and all of Slovenia.
Žametovka or Modra Kavčina is one of the oldest autochthonous Slovene varieties originating in the Slovenian region of Dolenjska. The old vineyard produces between 40 and 50 kilograms of grapes per year, and is maintained by Stane Kocutar, the village’s wine grower. Under the leadership of Mag. Janez Valdhuber, between 15 and 35 liters of wine are produced annually from the grapes of the Viña Vieja at the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences of the University of Maribor. For protocol purposes, the wine is poured into quarter-liter bottles designed by internationally renowned Slovenian designer Oskar Kogoj. The spiral that runs through the neck of the bottle represents the immortality and perseverance of the Viña Vieja.
The oldest vine was planted towards the end of the Middle Ages when Maribor faced the Ottoman invasion. It survived the fierce struggles between the invaders and defenders of the city, as the oldest House of the Vine used to be a part of the city wall. The vine was not damaged by the fires then, which occurred frequently due to the wooden roof structures and straw coverings, nor by the vine lice that destroyed most of the other vines. Although the bombing of allied forces during World War II partially destroyed the oldest House of the Vine, this resilient plant survived unscathed.
The old vine is not only a symbol of Maribor and Slovenia, but a symbol of friendship and connection, and promotion of wine culture around the world. Grafts from the old vine are given as gifts each year to selected individuals, twin cities or other institutions. So far, certified official grafts have been planted in more than 170 locations, including Paris and Strasbourg, in 24 countries on four continents. It also thrives in the castle of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Wine from the grafts growing in Ljubljana castle was presented to Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain during her visit in 2008. The wine from the old vine is an invaluable gift that was also given to Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, former US President Bill Clinton, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and chess player Garry Kasparov.
