  
This section guides you through the perils and pitfalls of grape growing, from pest control to site suitability to economic factors. Whether you’re a grape grower, winemaker, or wine educator, you’ll find information you can apply towards your individual needs. Visit these links for useful information on these topics:
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North Carolina Winegrape Grower's Guide
This 196-page production guide provides grape growers with practical information on site selection, establishment, and operation of commercial vineyards. It includes a new chapter on spring frost control and examines the pros and cons of active frost protection systems.
Visit the North Carolina Winegrape Grower's Guide website to purchase or download the publication.
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Grape Advisory
The North Carolina State University Grape Advisory provides regular electronic newsletters with timely tips and announcements for grape production in North Carolina.
To subscribe via email:
Send a message to almanac@ces.ncsu.edu with a blank subject line and the message body: subscribe grape-mg
Or you can request the advice of your county's Horticulture Cooperative Extension Agent.
For more information, contact:
Barclay Poling, Muscadine Grape Extension Specialist
NCSU Department of Horticultural Science
P.O. Box 7609
Raleigh, NC 27695
Phone: (919) 515-1196
Email: Barclay_Poling@ncsu.edu
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N.C. Grape Varieties
Wines may be made from 100% or predominantly one variety of grape, or wines may be made from a blend of several grape varieties. Becoming familiar with grape varieties is a vital step in knowing your wines. Many wines, especially in the United States, have the name of the producer (the winery) on the bottle, and the wine is named by the grape variety used.
Today, bunch grapes, including V. vinifera, French-American hybrids and Labrusca-type grapes, are grown throughout the Piedmont and mountain regions of North Carolina. Muscadines are grown in the coastal plain where moderate winter temperatures prevail. Below is a summary of the types of wine made from these different grapes:
Vitis vinifera
Wines produced from grapes of this traditional European species are reminiscent of those harvested in Europe and California. New agricultural developments have enabled viticulturalists to successfully cultivate these grapes in North Carolina. Cultivars include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Viognier and Cabernet Franc.
French-American hybrids
These are crosses between various Vitis vinifera and native American species. Developed in France in the late 1800s, these grapes combine the disease resistance and winter hardiness of American species with the classic flavors of the Vinifera, or European, species. Cultivars include, Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, and Villard Noir.
Vitis rotundifolia
Muscadines, known locally as scuppernongs, are the native grapes of North Carolina. Muscadines are commonly consumed fresh or made into wines and jellies. Wines of this grape are rich, full-flavored, and very fruity. Popular cultivars include Carlos, Magnolia, Sterling, Nesbitt and Noble.
Labrusca-type
Wines produced from grapes of this species, considered the American "bunch" grapes, offer intense, fruity flavors which display the true taste of their labrusca heritage. Cultivars include Catawba, Concord, Delaware, and Niagara.
Fruit varieties
Wines vinted from fruits other than grapes are opening new opportunities through the efforts of North Carolina vintners. These exciting new wines are pleasing to the palate and delectably enchanting. Fruit varieties include apple, blueberry, blackberry, peach, plum, strawberry and cherry.
This is a conservative list of grape varieties that are grown or might be considered for growing in North Carolina:
Note: These are not recommendations and the list does not reflect many varieties currently undergoing trial plantings. Additional varieties not appearing in this list may be suitable in select ideal vineyard sites. Likewise, not all varieties listed below are suitable for every site.
For information on variety and site compatibility, please visit Site Suitability in this section.
Use: Red Wine
- Type of Grape: Vitis vinifera
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Shiraz (Syrah)
- Merlot
- Cabernet franc
- Petit Verdot
- Mourvedre
- Tempranillo
- Type of Grape: American hybrids
- Norton (Cynthiana)
- St. Vincent
- Delaware (Vitis labrusca)
- Type of Grape: French hybrids
- Chambourcin
- Burdin 8753
- Villard Noir
- Type of Grape: Vitis rotundifolia (Muscadines)
Use: White Wine
- Type of Grape: Vitis vinifera
- Chardonnay
- Viognier
- Muscat Canelli
- Muscat Ottonel
- Type of Grape: American or American hybrids
- Chardonnel
- Blanc du Bois
- Daytona
- Traminette
- Niagara (Vitis Labrusca)
- Type of Grape: French hybrids
- Vidal Blanc
- Seyval Blanc
- Villard Blanc
- Roucaneuf
- Ravat 34
- Joannes-Seyve 23-416
- Type of Grape: Vitis rotundifolia (Muscadines)
Use: Fresh Table Grapes
- Type of Grape: Vitis vinifera: none suitable at present time
- Type of Grape: Seeded American hybrids
- Sunbelt (blue like Concord, but ripens evenly in the South)
- Seneca (yellow)
- Buffalo (blue)
- Concord (blue)
- Steuben (blue)
- Niagra (white)
- Catawba
- Delaware (home garden only)
- Type of Grape: Seedless American hybrids
- Remaily (yellow)
- Himrod (yellow)
- Glenora (blue)
- Lakemont (yellow)
- Vanessa (red)
- Venus (blue, home garden only)
- Mars (blue)
- Reliance (red, home garden only)
- Suffolk Red
- Canadice (red)
- Orlando (yellow; bred in FL, resistant to Pierce's Disease)
- Interlaken (white)
- Einsett (red)
- Neptune (white)
- Jupiter (blue)
- Marquis (white)
- Type of Grape: French hybrids: none at this time
- Type of Grape: Vitis rotundifolia - dark (Muscadines)
- Black Fry (female)
- Cowart
- Nesbitt
- Noble
- Scarlett (red, female)
- Supreme (female)
- Type of Grape: Vitis rotundifolia - white (Muscadines)
- Carlos
- Doreen
- Early Fry (female)
- Fry
- Late Fry
- Magnolia
- Pam
- Sterling
- Summit (pinkish, female)
- Triumph
If you would like to learn more about grape types, the following websites provide extensive lists of grape varieties:
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Muscadine (Scuppernong) Grape Growing
Muscadine grapes are native to North Carolina and the southeastern United States. These large, thick-skinned and seeded grapes grow in small, loose clusters and are often harvested as individual berries. They can be bronze or black in color. The most well known bronze variety, Scuppernong, was named the official state fruit in 2001.
Muscadine grape growing continues to increase in North Carolina. In 2001, there were 275 acres of bronze muscadines and 71 acres of black muscadines. Just five years later in 2006, the total muscadine acreage has grown to 610 acres, with 495 acres of bronze and 115 acres of black muscadines.
Muscadine grape harvest in North Carolina occurs in late August through early October. The grapes are generally packed in clamshells or sold in bulk boxes for custom packing. The Produce Electronic Identification Board has recently created six Universal Product Codes (UPC) for bronze and black muscadines in pint, quart and pound packages.
Muscadine bloom occurs in mid-May. Warm and dry conditions lead to a good fruit set. Late summer hurricanes can sometimes threaten the muscadine harvest. While rain is necessary for young grapevines to become established, hot and dry conditions maximize sugars and flavors in the grapes.
See the Muscadine Grapes page for more information on the following topics:
These resources provide information on growing this popular variety:
Documents
Links
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Site Suitability
The following maps are provided to help in decision making and are not recommendations for or against any site or area. Because they are not all-inclusive in terms of conditions at the particular site, they should not replace an on-site evaluation which may reveal other potential positive or negative aspects.
These maps were generated by John Boyer, a Virginia Tech Geographer commissioned by the N.C. Grape Council. If you would like printed copies of these maps, or those more specific to your North Carolina site, please check back later for a request form. This service is unavailable at this time
For an explanation of factors to consider in site selection prepared by Dr. Tony Wolf in Virginia, read his publication Site Selection for Commercial Vineyards.
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Zone 1 |
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Vinifera |
Hybrid |
American Varieties |
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Most Desirable Site |
None |
None |
possibly Niagra, Norton, Most Muscadine Grapes: Carlos, Magnolia, Noble, Sterling, Fry, Nesbitt |
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Good Site |
None |
None |
Most Muscadine Grapes: Carlos, Magnolia, Noble, Sterling |
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Risky Site * |
None |
None |
Carlos, Magnolia, Noble |
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Zone 2 |
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Vinifera |
Hybrid |
American Varieties |
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Most Desirable Site |
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Mataro (Mourvedre), Merlot, Viognier, Tannat, Carmine, Syrah, Petit Manseng |
Chambourcin, Chardonel, Seyval, Vidal Blanc, Rouchaneuf |
Niagara, Norton, Most Muscadine Grapes: Carlos, Magnolia, Noble, Sterling, Fry, Nesbitt, |
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Good Site |
Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Petit Manseng, Viognier |
Chambourcin, Chardonel, Seyval, Vidal Blanc |
Most Muscadine Grapes: Carlos, Magnolia, Noble, Sterling |
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Risky Site * |
Petit Manseng |
Seyval, Vidal Blanc |
Norton, Niagara |
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Zone 3 |
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Vinifera |
Hybrid |
American Varieties |
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Most Desirable Site |
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Petit Manseng, Malvasia Bianca, Muscat Ottonel, Carmine, Syrah |
Chambourcin, Chardonel, Seyval, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Rouchaneuf |
Niagara Norton |
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Good Site |
Cabernet Franc, Malvasia Bianca, Muscat Ottonel, Riesling, Petit Manseng, Viognier |
Chambourcin, Chardonel, Seyval, Traminette, Vidal Blanc |
Niagara Norton |
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Risky Site * |
Malvasia Bianca Muscat Ottonel, Petit Manseng |
Seyval, Traminette |
Niagara |
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Zone 4 |
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No plantings recommended |
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Weather Links
Whether you’re deciding where to establish a vineyard, timing a vineyard maintenance program or deciding when to harvest, climate and weather information are essential. The following resources can help:
- Weather Bug is a weather data service.
- UM Weather accesses all weather information available on the Internet.
- The NC Cooperative Extension Service provides these helpful links:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service
- Agricultural Weather Information Service, Inc. (AWIS) charges a fee ($50.00 per month, 3 month minimum, $10.00 set-up fee) to log onto their site for information. For example, one of the reports they offer is a frost/freeze report that predicts 60 hours in advance. For each hour they predict dry bulb temperature, dew point, wet bulb temperature, wind speed, wind direction, cloud cover, inversion layer strength, and dew and/or frost. This includes everything you would need to know for irrigation/wind machine start-up. The referenced page lets you look at samples of all of the various reports.
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Pest Management
This section includes resources on how to combat the common vineyard pests and diseases including, how they spread, their effect on vines and strategies for their control.
General Resources
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecologically-based management program aimed at reducing unnecessary inputs in crop production and improving overall fruit quality. For information, visit NC State's website or view these attachments:
- N.C. Cooperative Extension Service publishes a Horticulture Information Leaflet by W.O. Cline: Muscadine Grape Diseases and their Control
Fungicide Spray Recommendations
Pest Stewardship Fact Sheets
These fact sheets about working safely with pesticides in North Carolina are published by the North Carolina Environmental Stewardship Project of CropLife Foundation and are available in English and Spanish.
- English Versions
- Spanish Versions
Pesticide disposal and pesticide container recycling is essential! Contact the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Resources Pesticide Section at (919) 733-3556 for general information or visit the NCDA website.
For questions about legal disposal options, contact:
William T. McClelland
NCDA Pesticide Disposal Specialist
4000 Reedy Creek Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: (919) 733-7366
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FAQs
Interest in grape production has generated many questions about vineyard establishment and grape production. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from the grape growing and winemaking industries:
Q: Where is the best place to acquire grape vine plantings?
A: Several commercial nurseries are available from which to buy vines. Most are listed in the Vineyard Supplies section. California nurseries typically only carry vinifera varieties. Hybrids can be found from the eastern nurseries, such as those in New York. |
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Q: Is it best to plant a single variety or multiple varieties?
A: It depends on the size of your vineyard. If you're planting 1-2 acres, then grow a single variety to get sufficient quantity to sell. Otherwise, consider growing more than one, perhaps several (depending on acreage). This helps to spread out the risk (losses to frost/disease, decreased demand for a particular variety) and the harvest (consider labor availability). |
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Q: Are there particular varieties that are in high demand/short supply that would readily grow in the Piedmont?
A: The majority of varieties appear to grow well in the Piedmont area. Popular varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot, Syrah (all vinifera), Chambourcin and Seyval Blanc (French hybrids). In addition, other varieties are beginning to attract interest and attention. More importantly, talk with the wineries you hope to sell to about the varieties they anticipate needing. |
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Q: What is the optimal size of a vineyard?
A: A vineyard should be at least 4-5 acres to obtain reasonable economies of scale and produce sufficient quantities (tons) of multiple (3-4) varieties. Upper limits are determined by market demand and your ability to grow and sell premium quality grapes. The optimal size appears to be at least five acres, probably no more than 10 acres for a new, unestablished vineyard that isn't making its own wine. The average size in North Carolina is five acres. |
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Q: Do grapes prefer alkaline or acidic soils?
A: Nearly neutral soils, pH - 6.2-6.5 |
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Q: Where/how is the best way to learn the ins and outs of grape production?
A:
- Get a copy of the North Carolina Winegrape Growers Guide. This is a good introductory text on the subject.
- Talk with people already operating vineyards.
- Attend industry educational and trade shows, such as the N.C. Winegrowers Association's annual meeting.
- Join grower associations.
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Q: What considerations are important for growing grapes at higher elevations and colder temperatures?
A: Winter minimum temperatures will be the most limiting factor in variety choice at your site. Vitis vinifera varieties (i.e. Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc.) are the least hardy of the bunch grapes and would be at a higher risk level of cold-injury or death. Most are only hardy down to between -5 and -10 degrees and can suffer a lot of wood damage at temperatures of 0 to -5.
Varieties such as Merlot and Syrah, which are gaining in popularity here are more cold-tender. Some varieties are slightly cold-hardier, such as Cabernet franc, which is a better choice in our area than Cabernet Sauvignon (much more grower friendly). This would be a possibility if the site is higher on the hillside with a good slope and plenty of air drainage.
Riesling is also a more cold hardy variety. We don't recommend Riesling as a commercial variety due to its susceptibility to fruit rots in our summer heat and humidity, but in a smaller scale "hobbyist" planting you might want to try some.
Your best bet will be with hybrids and American varieties, which are more cold-hardy (from -10 to -25 degrees, depending on variety). American varieties worthy of your consideration are Concord, Niagra, Delaware, and Catawba, all of which have been successfully grown in the mountains and used for wine. The hybrids make very good wines and are more reliable croppers due to their higher level of cold-hardiness and their tendency to set near-full crops on secondary shoots, making them more frost tolerant than vinifera varieties.
There are several varieties from which to choose. Hybrids and American varieties haven't been widely planted in North Carolina, but Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, and Villard Blanc have done well. I've also had a very good wine made from Baco Noir grown in Ashe County (elevation around 3200 ft). Other hybrid varieties worthy of consideration are Traminette, Chardonel, DeChaunac, Ives, Marechal Foch, and Leon Millot. This list is certainly not all-inclusive.
You won't find the American or hybrid varieties at the California nurseries; they deal almost exclusively with vinifera varieties. But all the varieties mentioned, and others that you might want to experiment with, are available at many eastern grapevine nurseries, particularly those in New York.
For a list of nurseries and contact information, visit our Vineyard Supplies section. |
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Q: Which grapevines are grafted and why?
A: All vinifera varieties are grafted onto rootstocks (the only way they'll survive our soil-borne pests). Hybrid varieties may or may not be grafted (depends on the nursery). All grafted grapevines need to have their graft unions protected from hard freezes each winter, typically by "hilling up" soil around the vines (covering the graft unions) in late fall and leaving it over the graft unions until after the last frosts in spring. This needs to be done at least until the vines are five years old, but is best done every year with vinifera varieties, which are more at risk for winter-kill. |
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Q: Assuming a vinifera vineyard spaced at 6 ft. between vines and 10 ft. between rows, and trained to a Vertical Shoot Positioned trellis, how much does one acre of grapes produce, how many vines would that acre contain and how many pounds on average can one expect from each vine in this configuration?
A: Approximately four tons is the upper allowable limit. The vines can produce more, but fruit quality begins to suffer. Using a divided canopy trellis such as the Lyre or reducing between row spacing (i.e. to 8 or 9 ft.) can increase yields to 5 or 6 tons per acre. By the same token, poor vineyard management can reduce yields even if all other factors favor high yields.
At 6x10 ft spacing, an acre would contain 726 vines.
The vines would carry 11-12 pounds each. |
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Q: What is the average spacing of vines in North Carolina?
A: As the model states, average is around 6x10 feet. For Vertical Shoot Positioned trellises, Andy Allen suggests that 6 ft. between vines is too close under North Carolina vigor levels and would rather see vines spaced at 8 ft. apart. |
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Q: How much wine can one make from a ton (2000 pounds) of grapes?
A: Average production is about 100 gals/ton. Reds can get up to 110-120 gal/ton, whites aren't pressed as hard (otherwise you get harsher tannins from the seeds) and therefore don't have as high a juice yield as reds (90-100 gal/ton). | |
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