Festival of the Oldest Grapevine – a celebration of wine, tradition, and community in Maribor

In the historic centre of Maribor grows an extraordinary 450-year-old Guinness record holder – the Oldest Grapevine in the world. Every autumn it becomes the heart of the Festival of the Oldest Grapevine, a celebration of wine, culture, and local stories.

The highlight of the festival is the Harvest Festival of the Oldest Grapevine in the World, which symbolically connects the past, present, and future of viticulture in the Štajerska (Styria) region.

The Oldest Grapevine – an icon of Slovenian viticulture and tourism

Maribor is a city where wine is deeply embedded in local identity. On Lent, along the Drava River, grows the oldest noble grapevine in the world, around 450 years old. It is the Žametovka variety, which, despite its remarkable age, still produces grapes every year.

The vine is listed in the Guinness Book of Records and represents one of the most important symbols of Slovenia’s wine-growing heritage. Over the centuries it has survived fires, the devastating grapevine pest phylloxera, and many historical changes. Today it remains a living testament to the resilience of nature and the dedication of people.

The importance of the grapevine and wine for the city is also confirmed by the title European Best Wine Capital 2026, awarded to Maribor in recognition of its rich viticultural heritage and vibrant contemporary wine culture.

The world’s oldest grapevine has been growing on Lent for around 450 years and remains a symbol of Maribor’s wine tradition.

A festival that connects the city

Each year in early autumn, the Festival of the Oldest Grapevine brings new life to Lent, the riverside promenade along the Drava, and the historic centre of Maribor. Over the course of several days, the city becomes a meeting place for winegrowers, culinary creators, residents of Maribor, and visitors from Slovenia and abroad.

The festival programme includes wine tastings, culinary presentations, cultural events, concerts, and guided city tours. A special role is given to local winegrowers, who present the wine tradition of the Štajerska region.

At the festival stalls, special attention is given to local providers holding the certificate of the collective brand Our Finest. This certificate guarantees high-quality and authentic products from the local environment – from wine and gastronomy to handcrafted products and tourism services.
It allows visitors to discover the best of the region in one place while also supporting the local economy and the sustainable development of the destination.

Local providers showcase products and experiences from Maribor and the surrounding area at the festival stalls.

Harvest Festival of the Oldest Grapevine – the highlight of the festival

The central event of the festival is the Harvest Festival of the Oldest Grapevine.

The event has strong symbolic significance and attracts numerous visitors and wine enthusiasts every year. The harvest is not merely the picking of grapes, but a ritual that symbolically connects the tradition of viticulture with its future.

When the honorary guest cuts the first grape cluster, a new wine story officially begins. The grapes of the Oldest Grapevine are precious, as the vine produces only a limited quantity each year. From them a small amount of wine is made, primarily of symbolic value, which is presented as a ceremonial gift to distinguished guests.

Every two years the event also includes the crowning of the Maribor Wine Queen, the ambassador of the Oldest Grapevine in the world, the winemakers of the Maribor wine-growing district, and the rich tradition and culture of Styrian viticulture and winemaking.

The Maribor Wine Queen is an ambassador of the Oldest Grapevine and Styria’s wine tradition.

Maribor – the city of the Oldest Grapevine

The Festival of the Oldest Grapevine is more than a tribute to an extraordinary plant. It is a celebration of the entire wine-growing culture of the region and an important part of the city’s identity.

By connecting winegrowers, culinary creators, and providers with the Our Finest certificate, the festival promotes sustainable tourism development and highlights the importance of local products and short supply chains.

Each year the ceremonial harvest once again brings the symbol of the Oldest Grapevine to life and shows that wine in Maribor is not only part of the past, but also an important part of its future.