Maribor: The birthplace of Parson Grapy and home to the World's Oldest Grapevine

It’s no coincidence that Grapy hails from a town where the world’s oldest grapevine still thrives. Maribor, the second-largest city in Slovenia, is renowned as the home of ‘Stara trta’ or the Old Vine, a remarkable plant over 400 years old that continues to produce grapes today. This ancient vine is even recognized in the Guinness Book of Records. The variety, known as ‘Žametovka,’ grows in the heart of Maribor’s old city center on Lent, right in front of the Old Vine House.

According to Visit Maribor, the Old Vine was planted towards the end of the Middle Ages, during a time when Maribor was facing the Ottoman invasion. The vine survived the fierce battles between invaders and defenders, as the Old Vine House once formed part of the city’s fortifications. It was unharmed by the fires that frequently broke out due to the wooden roof structures and straw coverings of that era, nor was it affected by the vine louse that destroyed most other vineyards. Even when the Old Vine House was partially destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II, this resilient vine emerged unscathed. Today, it stands as a symbol of Maribor’s winemaking tradition, showcasing the longevity and resilience of grapevines.

In a region so deeply connected to grape cultivation, we’ve developed a particular fondness for another rare variety: Jurka. Though it is seldom used for wine production in this area, Jurka’s aromatic grapes are widely appreciated in juices and jams. We are captivated not only by its sweetness and flavour but also by its heavenly fragrance—a scent so mesmerizing that it enchants us whenever we pass by the vineyard.

It was this extraordinary combination of delicacy and intensity that we wanted to capture in a bottle. And thus, the idea for our very first gin was born. Grapy! A romance that revives with every sip..