Begginer Back Yard Wine in CT

[ccano228]

Hello all, I want to plant some vines in my backyard. I like Cabs or Merlot, or any good red wine. I am looking for advice and or what to read, what types of vines can I buy that are good in conneticut. and how to prepare my soil, and taking care of them. My backyard is not that big, how make vines should I buy to attemp to make wine lol I am new at this. Thank you.

 

[salcoco]

I am not sure what your winter temp are but Cab and Merlot may have a hard time growing in CT. suggest checking with Double A Nursery in New York for varieties.
I am aware that the North Fork of Long Island grows these varietals so the weather might be okay for your local. Nominally you can figure 12-15 lbs of grapes will make one gallon of wine. you can grow grapes to provide 8-15 lbs per vine depending on pruning and trellis techniques. as far as soil I would get a sample and provide it to your county agent for analysis they can determine what additives may be necessary. I would also suggest checking the Wine Maker magazine web site I believe they have a primer on grape growing that will probably be beneficial. good luck

 

[ccano228]

Salcoco Thank you for your reply, Ill check the magazine.

 

[montanarick]

Vinifera will have a hard time growing in anything less than AG Zone 6

 

[ccano228]

Vinifera will have a hard time growing in anything less than AG Zone 6

How about Baco Noir. in I am in Zone 6

 

[montanarick]

Not really sure. I looked into it Baco as a possibility but opted instead on adding Leon Millot and Marechal Foch to my other hybrids this year. I'm in Zone 5b. I received a lot of good recommendations for both varietals from many different sources that they make good wines either by themselves or as blends...we'll see

 

[salcoco]

as I mentioned above you should be right across the Long Island Sound from the North Fork of Long Island where they grow vinifera. did you get a chance to browse the Double A Nursery web site they have varieties listed versus zones .https://doubleavineyards.com/

 

[sour_grapes]

If you go the route Sal suggests, Cab Franc is probably better than Cab Sauv. Love me some North Fork Cab Franc!

 

[Ted Brumleve]

I like my Cab Franc heavily oaked. Local place in Verona, KY makes it that way.

 

[CTDrew]

What part of the state are you located? My hobby plantings are Northern Hartford County and Central Tolland County at my lake camp. I have more growing days in the river valley, but we get more hard freezes as the cold settles in the valley. I have Cayuga white, Frontenac, Marquette, Aromella, and I am planting a few La Crescent and Arandell this year to replace failed vinifera. I could not winter over reliably vinifera types at either site and have had to rogue them out. Cab Franc and Riesling are grown along the shoreline with some success. I think you will have a lot of fun, and I wish you luck with the project. I second working with Double A if you want something for this season. Also, I buy from Amberg Grape Vines in Clifton Springs NY but they need pre-orders generally.