Tamlyn Currin named OVC host for 2026

By Oliver Catchpole

Published: 22 September, 2026

The Old Vine Conference (OVC) has named Tamlyn Currin, the senior editor of JancisRobinson.com, as its host for the 2026 event, which will be held at Piedmont’s Fontanafredda this December.

Currin was a key contributor to JancisRobinson.com’s original Old Vines Register, a volunteer-built record of historic plantings that formed the basis of today’s Old Vine Registry – the largest database of its kind.

She gathered many of the early entries for the registry, along with writing many articles which promoted the evolution of the project.

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This year’s OVC takes the theme Radici Vive – meaning ‘Living Roots’ – and will look at old vines as the infrastructure of the wine sector, or “the invisible foundation on which the industry already depends”.

Currin explained: “Old vines have spent a long time being talked about as something to be rescued. Radici Vive takes this to the next stage, focusing on what they already do for the wine industry, quietly and largely unacknowledged. It's a cause close to my heart and I’m excited to be an integral part of this dialogue.”

Her role comes alongside a series of structural changes for the OVC, which set out to give each separate strand of its work – including development, education, operations and the conference itself – more dedicated focus.

As part of these changes, Leo Austin is stepping into the role of chair for the organisation, focusing on development and value for members; Sarah Abbott MW, co-founder of the OVC, moves into the role of education advisor; and long-standing regional ambassador for Spain Anna Harris-Noble becomes operations director – taking on daily management of the organisation.

At the same time, Belinda Stone remains a director of the OVC, but steps away from her executive role to concentrate on the production and direction of the conference.

The 2026 OVC is held in partnership with Fontanafredda, a historic Serralunga d’Alba estate well-known for Barolo and Langhe wines.

Radici Vive (which takes place on 2 December) is part of a broader programme running from 1 to 4 December, with field-trip days for invited media, trade and OVC members taking place to five estates working with old vines across Piedmont.

These include Borgogno, Vinchio Vaglio, Marchesi di Grésy, Malvirà and G.D. Vajra.

Registration details, along with the full programme, will be announced shortly.

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