Vine Origins

According to palaeontologists, the history of the vine began in the first half of the Cainozoic age. If it is taken into account that this period lasted 55 million years, it quickly becomes clear that the history of the vine overtakes that of mankind, which appeared during the second half of the Cainozoic age.

Nobody can claim with certainty the place of origin of the vine. An older viewpoint supports the belief that the vine first appeared in Western Asia. Vines existed even before the Ice Age and they continue to exist in today's polar areas. Following the Ice Age, the vine was limited to areas with a more favourable climate, like that of the Caucasus and Mesopotamia. And so, in accordance with various researchers, the Caucasus, Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt are considered to be the birthplace of viticulture and of wine.

However, earlier theories based on 3 million-year-old fossils support the belief that Europe is the vine's place of origin. Viticulture appeared in Greece in 4000 B.C.