The ceremonious grape harvest of the oldest vine in the world

Are you curious as to how we ceremoniously gather them?

The grape harvest of the Old Vine according to old Štajerska customs and habits has become a real city holiday, which is watched by crowds of people from Maribor and guests.

In front of the Old Vine’s home on Lent many visitors from near and far, numerous important guests from the government and public life, many receivers of the Old Vine’s scions and all Slovene wine queens to date gather. Present are also representatives of the wine fraternities and orders and also numerous journalists.

The tasting and evaluation of the first grapes is an important role, which is carried out by the master of the Old Vine, the Mayor of Maribor. When he ascertains that the grapes are ripe, he orders the grape harvest top begin.

Grape gatherers from "Šompetra" near Maribor, who are chosen by the master of the Vine, collect, weigh, measure the sugar content, grind, press, pour into containers and hand over to the care of the Meranovo Estate.

By the Old Vine at the end of the grape harvest the last wooden tub of grapes symbolically meets with the first tub of manure, as we have to return to the Old Vine that which with the grapes we took away. The youngest grape gatherer puts on a grape on a vine shoot so that the vine will drink its own juice.

Entertainment and food and drink

During the grape harvest you can have a good time by watching a selected cultural-entertainment program, when many well-known popular ensembles, brass bands, folklore groups and singers perform. On the bank of the river Drava are also present wine growers and viticulturalists and caterers, who offer the best they produce.