Cornhill Nursery

Grapes

Vineyard in early spring
The vineyard at Corn Hill Nursery - May 2001

Grape arbor foliage - Aug. 30, 2001
The vineyard later in the season - Aug. 2001

The grapes we grow will survive temperatures of -35, or lower, with no appreciable winter injury. They will also ripen their crops in our short growing season. Grapes need a well drained soil and as much sun and heat as they can have. Grapes leaf out very late in spring but avoid planting in sites that receive late spring frost, as this will injure the newly emerging leaves. Be sure to leave fruit on the vine until they are fully ripe. The darker varieties will change colour before they are ripe. See our Grape Pruning Guide.

Pruning Systems For Grapes

Because grapes are vines, they are generally trained in cultivation to allow better access to the fruits and to allow more sun to penetrate the plant. We prefer to prune the grapes in November, once the leaves have fallen. You can see the vines and they do not bleed as they do in spring.

Below are some of the many systems that have been developed.

Kniffen System

A single vine is trained upward the first year. Laterals are then allowed to grow only at the intersections of the wires, (in most cases 2 or 3 wires). After bearing these are removed and another set of laterals is tied to the wires.

Cordon System

Used mostly in Europe for vinifera type grapes. Two main limbs are trained horizontally, then verticals are chosen each year from the spurs along the main limbs.

Variations


Total Bow Bend	Pendulum	Quarter Bend

The Vineyard in October, 2001

WE CANNOT SHIP GRAPES TO
BRITISH COLUMBIA OR THE U.S.A.

Number in parentheses is hardiness zone, see Zone Map

Prices	Bare root #1	1 gal. potted	2 gal. potted
	$10.00	$15.00	$25.00

	Acadie Blanc (Zone 4b) A very popular white wine grape for the Maritimes.
	Beta (Zone 3) All the flavor and color of 'Concord' but with superior hardiness and earlier ripening. The grandfather of all hardy grapes. The best for jams and jellies. This variety ripens at our site in early October. Disease resistant and self-pollinating.
	Bluebell (Zone 3b) One of the finest dessert grapes we carry. Large berries are sweet and flavorful and in the 'Concord' style. Also makes great juice. Disease resistant and self-pollinating
	Frontenac (Zone 3b) At last a high quality wine grape for the north. Developed at the University of Minnesota, it produces a deep red wine of depth and character. Disease resistant and self-pollinating.
	Frontenac Gris (Zone 3b) * NEW * Similar to Frontenac but with light colored skins. Used for white wine or rosé.
	K86-4 (Zone 4) This introduction from Kentville Research Station was never introduced but has proven very hardy and productive over the years. Sweet and early white grape for eating or wine.
	Kay Gray (Zone 3) Very hardy white wine grape borne in small tight clusters. Harvest before full maturity for best results and use minimal racking to avoid oxidation. Disease resistant and self-pollinating.
	Marechal Foch (Zone 4) Perhaps the hardiest high quality European wine grape. Small berries are dark purple. A varietal grape used in many Maritime vineyards.
	Marquette (Zone 3b) The latest introduction from Minnesota. A very high quality red wine grape. It is early ripening with low acids. Considered by many to be superior to oure vinifera.
	Minnesota 78 (Zone 3) A superb reddish-blue grape that is the sweetest we carry. Excellent for dessert and makes a good wine. Disease resistant. Needs a pollinator.
	Prairie Star (Zone 3b) A sweet white grape coming in long clusters with good disease resistance. It makes a wine with excellent body and good sugar/acid balance. Self-pollinating.
	St. Pepin (Zone 3b) A very sweet grape that makes a wine with excellent body and good sugar/acid balance. A treat right off the vine or as fresh juice. Bred by Elmer Swenson of Wisconsin. Needs a pollinator.
	Swenson Red (Zone 4b) A superb dessert grape that comes on dumbbell shaped clusters. Thin skin and meaty non-lubrusca flesh. Ripens after 'Beta'. Self-pollinating.
	Valiant (Zone 2b) The hardiest cultivated grape, developed in South Dakota. Dark purple-black berries in a very tight cluster. A mild flavored eating grape and the absolute best for juice! Self-pollinating. Sold Out
	Native Grape (Zone 2b) This is our native River Grape (Vitis riparia). Small blue berries. Good for naturalizing and for jelly.