New Grapevines!

I've been looking online lately for grapevines. Several grape growers informed me of the same site if I was looking to buy some. They pointed me in the direction of Double A Vineyards. Everyone I asked said they got nothing but perfect grape vines from the site.

I loaded the page and found probably over a hundred different varietals I could purchase. I was going to get some Cabernet Franc, but I'm in climate zone 5b, and they are for zone 6+. They were also grafted at the trunk, and I was looking for a varietal I could propagate through hardwood clippings.

Although I already have two "Concords", they may not be 100% genetic Concords. I propagated mine from a neighbors grapevine, and neither him or I know for sure if it's the true Concord varietal. I decided to get one "Concord" so I knew I had at least one vine that was a true varietal. I also got one Seedless Concord. The information regarding this vine said that the berry clusters are smaller than a true Concord, but I feel like it is a good vine to have. Apparently the increase in plantings of the seedless varietal have largely outweighed plantings of the regular Concord in recent years. Only the future will show how well the Seedless Concord holds up against its mother plant. If it performs well in the future, I will propagate many vines from it.

What really struck me was the relative cheapness of the vines. I got the Concord for 6.50, and the Seedless Concord for 7.50. The only thing that made the purchase expensive was the shipping (which I suppose better be very good or else the vines may be damaged in transport). I just got the invoice in the mail today, and I can't wait to get them in the spring when Double A Vineyards ships them April 11.

Winter Dormancy

The vines have gone completely dormant for the winter now. All of the green growth has turned brown and has hardened off. I'm super pumped for next summer. If the vigor is even half as much as this summer I'll be pleased. The grape clusters should come from each node this spring, and I can't wait to see how many clusters there will be even within a few weeks after bud break!

The smaller, first year concord has hardened off as well and appears to be surviving the winter just fine. :)