News — Vineyards

The Old Vine Registry has launched the OVR Seal, a global program allowing producers to identify wines made from registered old-vine vineyards on labels, websites, and other marketing materials. The initiative was announced on October 1, 2026.

California growers have removed roughly 38,000 acres of vineyards in just a few seasons, signaling the deepest structural reset in decades – with serious implications for the future of premium Napa and Sonoma wine.

French winemakers have been given the green light to change a centuries-old tradition: a new national law passed in late 2025 now permits the addition of sugar (as grape must) to dry wines, a revolutionary step, especially for Bordeaux.

Against a backdrop of ongoing protests and economic pressure, Bordeaux's leading wine organizations published a joint "Call from Bordeaux" on January 14th, demanding immediate French government intervention to save the industry.