Home Vineyard for Central Illinois

[meridaen]

I can’t believe the shear amount of organisms that want to eat your grapes over in the States

Everything here might be trying to kill you, but none of them eat grapes.

 

[FutureFarm]

Thanks for all the help getting me through the first year. I've got plans to expand for next year. I have room for 5 rows of 9 vines, bringing me to 53 vines overall. One row will be Concord for jelly, juice, and some wine. I'm a bit stuck on the other 4 rows. I think I want to keep a 50:50 ratio in red to white.

For Reds: I'm wavering between Leon Millot, Foch, and Marquette. I also found a local vineyard growing Cynthiana/Norton, but we get below -10F at least twice every five years.
For Whites: I've heard good things about LaCrescent, LaCrosse and Cayuga White. I like the versatility of Cayuga White, but again it is rated at -15F. Seyval Blanc and Vignoles seem to be pretty commonly grown, but looks like they require more of a preventative spray schedule than I want to commit to.

What reds/whites am I missing?

 

[ChuckD]

For Reds: I'm wavering between Leon Millot, Foch, and Marquette.

Personally, I’m a fan of Petite Pearl and Marquette. Both can make excellent varietal wines and better blends. Others have noted that the wine improves as the vines age.

 

[wood1954]

My itasca grapes seem to be more disease resistant than my Marquette. Marquette makes a very good red wine. Better than Leon millot or Foch.

 

[swaring]

I’m growing Marquette, Petite Pearl, Noiret, Carot Noir, Chambourcin and Mars in Central Kansas and they all made it through -15 to -17 in each of the last two winters. It’s too soon, year 4, to say what the vine production and wine quality are going to be but the Noiret has quite a few cordon blanks from bud death in the cold weather. The Mars is year 7 and bears well. Cabernet Franc froze down to the graft and I’m starting a trial of Chancellor in its place. I’m doing a field blend with all of these and the wine is good, dominated by the Mars flavors of strawberry and cherry, only because the others haven’t come in to full production. I would echo what others have said about petite Pearl and Marquette, they are easy to Shepherd through the winter and appear to make good wine. Good luck with your choices!

 

[Hazelemere]

https://www.vinetechcanada.com/help-tips/grapevines/

Winter hardiness e.g. Regent matches Chambourcin