Gamay in 6b

[Uvabombon]

Edit: i meant to write 5b!!
Hello!

Located in 5b area of NH. Very interested in planting Gamay. Does anyone have experience growing Gamay in cold climates? Both good or bad.

Thank you and very happy to have found this community.

 

[winemaker81]

Welcome to WMT!

I searched on Zone 6 and grapes ... the bad news is it's all French-American hybrids. Indications are Vinifera won't grow well, if at all.

Although someone may point out where I'm wrong, your best choice for Gamay is to purchase grapes through Musto.

 

[ChuckD]

Gamay is listed as a zone 7 grape. If you can plant them against a rock wall or building with southern exposure you may have a microclimate that would allow it… so long as you can cover the vines when an early frost threatens.

If you are serious about growing your own grapes for wine, start exploring local vineyards to see what can be made with northern hybrids. You may be surprised.

 

[GSMChris]

I’m in 9a and had cold temperature damage last year on my grenache grapes. 5b seems pretty extreme unless you are willing to take extreme measures.

 

[VinesnBines]

I’m in 6b and vinifera is a real challenge. The local commercial vineyard, much lower elevation and 25 miles south; their only reds are Petit Verdot, Cab Franc and Merlot.

I raise killer hybrids. My Chambourcin and Marchel Foch have a lot of the Gamay flavors, cherries, raspberries, cranberries, dark cherry. The Foch can have a real earthy flavor and black pepper notes.

Love what you love. Like Chris says, give Gamay a try but go with your eyes wide open and prepare.

As an analogy, I can grow fig trees in 6b but never have fruit. I dug up suckers and transplanted in 7a. I have killer figs at my property in 7a and still nothing from the mother fig in 6b.

 

[CTDrew]

I'm in 6b Connecticut and I grow cab franc just fine. I know they grow gamay in the Hudson Valley and it's at least a half zone colder there than my area. Try some vines and see how it goes for you.

 

[Rice_Guy]

welcome to WMT