New member in Kansas

[swaring]

Hello everyone, I’m growing 16 vines in my backyard, and making field blends. It’s my 4th year (2 harvests) with Noiret(3vines), Carot Noir(1), Chambourcin(1), Petite Pearl(3), Marquette(4), and I have 2 Mars that are 7 years old and 2 Chancellors that are new.

I like the blend so far but I’d like to simplify and improve the blend so any advice would be welcome. The 3 Noiret do not yield much and have many blanks on the cordons, plus I don’t love the flavor. I’m thinking about grafting one of the others on to the Noiret rootstocks after cutting them down in the spring, to take advantage of the 4 years of root growth. Would you choose the Chancellor, Petite Pearl or one of the others?

PS The Mars is a table grape with no seeds and a brix around 18. It makes good wine but dominates the blend with light red fruit and I tried it as a rose this year. The rose was good and I’ll throw the skins back into the blend.

I was encouraged to see a few threads about blends of hardy hybrids as this information seems hard to come by. Is the Chancellor a good one to amplify in the blend? It seems that a little of the Petite Pearl goes a long way, it’s very detectable. We have a hot dry climate and GDD well over 3000. Thanks!

 

[Christopher Anderson]

Welcome to WMT! I have about 10 vines, all planted 3-5 years ago. 3 of the vines (I don't know what they are), have not produced quality and quantity grapes. I started last year taking and rooting cuttings from my best vines. I plan on replacing these non-producing vines after the last freeze.

 

[David Violante]

Welcome to WMT! I don’t have experience with those types but I’m sure you will get some great suggestions here. The folks are friendly and have a ton of great knowledge.

 

[sour_grapes]

I cannot help with you vines questions, but welcome to WMT!

 

[swaring]

Thanks for the warm WMT welcome!

 

[Rice_Guy]

welcome to WMT

Your vineyard sounds like mine, two PP, two Millot, two Frontenac, etc etc. I really like PP for flavor. Millot and Briana anre easier for growing. Itasca has high sugar and clean flavor. But grapes with high humidity means fungus and work. I never graduated to a favorite grape. I have more of a country wine mindset, the growing is easier.

 

[wrongway]

Hello everyone, I’m growing 16 vines in my backyard, and making field blends. It’s my 4th year (2 harvests) with Noiret(3vines), Carot Noir(1), Chambourcin(1), Petite Pearl(3), Marquette(4), and I have 2 Mars that are 7 years old and 2 Chancellors that are new.

I like the blend so far but I’d like to simplify and improve the blend so any advice would be welcome. The 3 Noiret do not yield much and have many blanks on the cordons, plus I don’t love the flavor. I’m thinking about grafting one of the others on to the Noiret rootstocks after cutting them down in the spring, to take advantage of the 4 years of root growth. Would you choose the Chancellor, Petite Pearl or one of the others?

PS The Mars is a table grape with no seeds and a brix around 18. It makes good wine but dominates the blend with light red fruit and I tried it as a rose this year. The rose was good and I’ll throw the skins back into the blend.

I was encouraged to see a few threads about blends of hardy hybrids as this information seems hard to come by. Is the Chancellor a good one to amplify in the blend? It seems that a little of the Petite Pearl goes a long way, it’s very detectable. We have a hot dry climate and GDD well over 3000. Thanks!

Sorry I don't know about your questions but HELLO from a fellow Kansan!! I'm a bit west of Wichita.

 

[Retired teacher]

Sorry I don't know about your questions but HELLO from a fellow Kansan!! I'm a bit west of Wichita.

And I’m down in the SE corner. Welcome!

 

[swaring]

Sorry I don't know about your questions but HELLO from a fellow Kansan!! I'm a bit west of Wichita.

Hello Kansas!

 

[swaring]

Sorry I don't know about your questions but HELLO from a fellow Kansan!! I'm a bit west of Wichita.

(I’m in Hays)

 

[swaring]

welcome to WMT

Your vineyard sounds like mine, two PP, two Millot, two Frontenac, etc etc. I really like PP for flavor. Millot and Briana anre easier for growing. Itasca has high sugar and clean flavor. But grapes with high humidity means fungus and work. I never graduated to a favorite grape. I have more of a country wine mindset, the growing is easier.

Thanks! I’ll be interested to hear more about wines!

 

[ChuckD]

Welcome to WMT from a fellow hobby vineyard owner.