A few years ago I learned how to clone grape vines, with the intention of growing table grapes, and maybe someday making wine as a side project. Soon after, I began accumulating more and more varieties of grapes, including Concord, Thompson, White Niagara, Canadice, Blue Concord, Reliance, Niagara, Beta, Stueben, and a few unnamed varieties that had favorable crops.

While dad was still around, I made my first few bottles of “wine”, which I’m sure any person who has ever sipped wine would call gross, but it fermented, and more importantly, dad got to try it. We all agreed that the product of my experiment had a use, but flavor was not the reason you would drink it. I decided again that someday I would make more wine and take the subject more seriously.

A week or so ago, I got an email from Matt, offering me some cuttings  from some of his collection of wine grapes. I promply offered to take any cuttings available as I’m always expanding my collection. From these cuttings, I could then grow my own grape vines, and if they grow well in NW Pennslyvania, create my own wine.

Vine Cuttings

A few days later I got 2 pictures from Matt showing all of the cuttings from his vinyard, and I was quite impressed. The cuttings filled the back seat and trunk of his car, and I could tell a good deal of work had gone into this project.  The email also included a FedEx tracking number for the box which had originated on the west coast. Once I had the tracking number I realized I had better get some preparations done on my end. I purchased a 2.5 cubit foot bag of Miracle Gro Potting soil, and a large bag full of styrofoam cups. I located lot’s of aluminum baking pans which would hold the cups, and cleaned them out.

Assorted Cuttings

Another day or two passed by, and I recieved two boxes in the mail, packed with lots of cuttings. When I opened the box and looked at the cuttings I felt overjoyed, even a bit overwhelmed with the gift I had been given. The cuttings had a unique smell, and coloring, something I think reflects the enviroment they were grown in, with far more sun than the vines I usually see. It’s almost as if I could see the sun’s bleaching effect on the vines, and smell the air in which they had grown.

Each Variant Labeled

Each variant was carefully covered in wet tissue on the base of the cuttings, wrapped in plastic and labeled. The moisture helped the vines in their cross country transit, and the labeling is invaluable as unkown varieties would require painstaking identification before wine could be produced.

Index of Varieties

As I unwrapped each bundle, I made an index of variants and the codes I would use to indentify them with. It would be far too time consuming to write the entire name and affix it to each cutting, so I gave each type a unique number as well as a short version of it’s name. The shortened name would be invaluable if I lost the index, and the unique number helps with planning.

Cuttings Ready for Water

After three hours of work, I had all of the cuttings placed in potting soil and ready for water. The vines need to be kept moist, and out of direct sunlight, and in a few weeks time, they will begin growing new green growth. At this point I’d love to turn the water a deep green color with the help of Miracle Gro plant food, but I want to encourage root growth, and Miracle Gro will bring out top growth.

So where does root stock come into my plan ? Well, I’ve decided to continue the plan I’ve already got in place: Test varieties for their fitness in this enviroment, and allow the vines to grow quite a bit. In three to five years I should have more knowledge of the subject, and large vines from which to extract cuttings. At that point I’ll plan my vinyard.

Here’s the list of new varieties:

Grenache Noir:

Plant Zones 7-10 per:
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_c95a-2.html
Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenache http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/grenache.htm

Petite Syrah:

Information:
http://www.winelabels.org/artsirah.htm

Chardonnay:

Plant Zones 5 – 8 per:
http://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/plant-manuals/berry-plants/grape-vines/chardonnay-grape
Plant Zones 7 – 10 per:
http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2850/chardonnay-grape.php

Information:
http://www.winemakermag.com/stories/grapes/article/indices/22-grape-growing/989-growing-chardonnay-backyard-vines http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2850/chardonnay-grape.php

Italia:

Plant Zones 7-10 per:
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_5b52-2.html

Alicante Bouscet:

Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alicante_Bouschet
http://eater.com/archives/2011/06/28/alicante-bouschet-prohibitions-darling-grape.php

Tempranillo:

Plant Zones 7 – 10 per: http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_2dcf.html

Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempranillo
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090101/DISTINCTLYNORTHWEST/901010307/-1/DISTINCTLYNORTHWEST03

Pinot Noir:

Plant Zones 6 – 10 (map indicated NW PA ok): http://www.willisorchards.com/product/Pinot+Noir+Wine+Grape+Vine

Information: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/w/wines/pinot_noir_us/index.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinot_noir

Zinfandel:

Plant Zones  6 – 10 per:
http://www.aaronsfarm.com/Zinfandel-Grape-p/zinfandel-grape-vine.htm

Information:
http://zinfandel.org/uploads/Zin3_web%20version.pdf

Syrah Noir:

Plant Zone: No zone mentioned, but “can survive in just about any given circumstance”: (requires membership)
http://www.winebusiness.com/wbm/?go=getArticleSignIn&dataId=32886

Information:
http://thewinespies.com/directory/wine/1425

Summer Muscat:

Information:
http://sigonas.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/muscat-grapes-a-little-taste-of-summer-with-a-burst-of-flavor/

Barberra:

Plant Zone 7a per:
http://www.doubleavineyards.com/c-1-buy-grapevines.aspx
Plant Zones 7 – 10 per:
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_b8c4-2.html
Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbera http://www.alcoholwine.com/red-wine/barbera

Sauvignon Blanc:

Plant Zones 6 – 10 per (map indicated NW PA ok): http://www.willisorchards.com/product/Sauvignon+Blanc+Wine+Grape+Vine?category=262

Plant Zones 6 – 10 per: 
http://www.willisorchards.com/product/Sauvignon+Blanc+Wine+Grape+Vine?category=262
Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauvignon_blanc

Sangiovese:

Plant Zones 7 – 10 per:
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_8fa0-3.html
Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangiovese

Cabrenet Sauvignon:

Plant Zones 6 – 10 per:
http://www.tytyga.com/Cabernet-Sauvignon-Grape-p/cabernet-sauvignon-grape-vine.htm
Plant Zones 7 – 10 per:
http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2849/cabernet-sauvignon-grape.php

Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabernet_Sauvignon

Here’s are some additional helpful links about wine grapes:

Wine Pronunciation Guide:
http://www.davidstuff.com/wine/pronounce.htm
Types of Red Wine:
http://www.basic-wine-knowledge.com/types-of-red-wine.html
Buy Grapes:
http://www.willisorchards.com/category/Wine+Grape+Vines