Vermont grown grapes
#indefenseofhybrids
Most people are surprised to learn that we grow grapes and make wine here in the Champlain valley. However, for those of us in the know, Vermont wine is as staple on our dinner tables and on our wine shelves.
It’s true that most vitis Vinifera (the typical European wine grapes) varietals thrive in mild, temperate climates. Vermont’s climate is anything but mild and temperate. Harsh winters with subzero temperatures, rainy springs, and humid summers make growing wine grapes a real challenge. But, who doesn’t love a challenge?
At Shelburne Vineyard the majority of our grapes are cold hardy hybrid grapes, save for a small plotting of Riesling (vitis Vinifera). These hybrid grapes were cultivated by cross-pollenating vitis Vinifera grapes with mostly vitis Riparia grapes (wild river grapes native to eastern and mid-western North America) .
As Elmer Swenson, the pioneer of working with vitis Riparia grapes discovered, vitus Ripera’s hardiness and genetic propensity to resist pests and disease that naturally thrive in our climate makes them perfect candidates for hybridizing with Vitus Vinifera varieties to make truly amazing wines.
Since our first planting in 1998, we’ve learned how to manage hybrid grapes through site selection, careful vineyard management, and low intervention winemaking to bring out their absolute best qualities, producing complex and delicious wines.
LA CRescent
A recent hybrid developed at the University of Minnesota has excellent winter hardiness and produces white wines with distinct apricot, citrus and peach aromas and flavors. Wines can be made off-dry or sweet.
Louise Swenson
An Elmer Swenson hybrid (and named after his wife), this varietal makes white wines light in body with a moderate acidity and delicate aromas of flowers and honey.
Riesling
Considered one of the “Noble” grape varieties, this traditional cool climate European grape (vitis Vinifera) produces a wonderfully aromatic crisp white wine with bright acidity and notes of peach and honeysuckle in our vineyard. Planted in 1999, this variety has been thriving on our Meach Cove site, located only steps from Lake Champlain’s shore line.
Marquette
This Pinot Noir hybrid developed by the University of Minnesota is super cold hardy and disease resistant while producing outstanding quality red wines with complex notes of cherry, berry, pepper and spice.
Petite Pearl
A very new Minnesota hybrid red wine grape with excellent cold hardiness and disease resistance. Produces complex wines with soft tannins and low acidity.