The grapes usually ripen about the last week in August to the middle or third week in September. There is some variation in the dates, primarily due to weather conditions. The riper the grapes are, the more sugar they have in them. However, as they get very ripe there is also some deterioration in the quality of the grapes (i.e., some berries will start to get overripe and squash and the Japanese beetles will make an attack.) We will send e-mails out to alert you when the various grape varieties are ready to be picked.

Varieties

Blue Bell: A very early ripening, reliably hardy, very disease resistant, concord-style seeded table grape. It has good vigor and bears well. It is suitable for juice and jelly as well. Clusters are medium sized and berries are large, very handsome in appearance and delicious in flavor. This is a reliably hardy, disease resistant heavy bearing and delicious table grape for the north that is easy to grow and has few weaknesses. Also good for grape juice. We have about 60 Blue Bell vines on a double trellis system. They are usually have the best yield and have many large clusters this year. Lots of these grapes will be available.

St.Croix: A hardy grape developed in Minnesota. St. Croix produces a sweet bluish-red grape that is great for fresh eating and wine. It has productive vines yielding medium to large berries and clusters that ripen in early to mid-September. It can survive temperatures of -30 degrees or lower with little to no winter injury. The fruit matures in a short growing season, so it's a perfect variety for northern gardens. We have about 60 vines planted and they have many clusters on them.

Prairie Star: An older Elmer Swenson Hybrid that has reliable hardiness once mature. It bears well, with oblong, often tight clusters of smallish berries, most of which have a shoulder or wing - very handsome. It is a clean, healthy vine, which grows strongly upward and does well on the VSP system. It ripens mid-September with over 20% sugar and excellent sugar/acid balance. The wine tends to be full-bodied, but often unremarkable. Originally recommended for blending. However, good clean, crisp and enjoyable Prairie Star varietal wines have been made in recent years. It is reliable in the north, easy to grow and should find an important place in northern viticulture in the years ahead.

Edelweiss: This is a new planting and will not be available until 2011, but they are delicious.