Grapevines

[fiveravens]

Does anyone grow grapevines? I planted a little vineyard two years ago and am hoping to make a little wine this year. Nobody around here has ever tried to grow grapes, so they all think I'm nuts.

[SimonCole]

Yep, I've got Boskoop Glory (red), Van der Vroege (white) and the purpurea cultivar. No grapes yet... but fingers crossed

What do you grow and how many?
By the way, where are you?

[southlondongardener]

Does anyone grow grapevines? I planted a little vineyard two years ago and am hoping to make a little wine this year. Nobody around here has ever tried to grow grapes, so they all think I'm nuts.

Where do you live ? If it is Aberdeen or Shetland you ARE nuts ?
If Southern England I believe you should be successful.
I have lakemont in a greenhouse but it was only planted in November.

[fiveravens]

I'm down in Co Kerry; I'm growing Rondo, Orion and Phoenix - 25 of each.

[Snadger]

I've got two in the greenhouse. One is cabernet Sauvignon that I planted in a large box last year and it has three leaders up the side of the greenhouse and about four foot along the eves. It's just starting to burst into life now.

The other is an indeterminate variety, pinkish in colour that did really well in an other allotment holders greenhouse. He was feeding the grapes to his chooks in bunches until I had a taste of them . They taste devine, so I took a few cuttings last year and to cut a long story short only have one plant left. It's in a 7 inch pot at present, in full leaf and is just awaiting me deciding where I am going to put it!

[SimonCole]

It should be ideal down there with the warm influence of the Altantic. I've seen a rondo orchard in the Netherlands and you should be at the same lattitude. You could be on to something!

[fiveravens]

It should be ideal down there with the warm influence of the Altantic. I've seen a rondo orchard in the Netherlands and you should be at the same lattitude. You could be on to something!

That's the first bit of encouragement I've got! Many thanks!

[littlemark]

I'm growing a Rondo and two Regent against a stone wall which holds a tremendous amount of heat after a sunny day. I'm hoping to get enough grapes to make a gallon or two for ourselves.



Have you spoken to the people at Derrynane Vineyard, possibly the most westerly European vineyard, and just down the road from you. Stephen Skelton's 'The Wines of Britain & Ireland' list a few vineyards in Co Cork too.

Cheers, Mark

[fiveravens]

I'm growing a Rondo and two Regent against a stone wall which holds a tremendous amount of heat after a sunny day. I'm hoping to get enough grapes to make a gallon or two for ourselves.



Have you spoken to the people at Derrynane Vineyard, possibly the most westerly European vineyard, and just down the road from you. Stephen Skelton's 'The Wines of Britain & Ireland' list a few vineyards in Co Cork too.

Cheers, Mark

I didn't know about the Derrynane vineyard! That's very helpful - I'll make enquiries. Thank you!

[fiveravens]

Littlemark, your vines look fine. Have you any idea how much wine ro expect from each vine?

[littlemark]

I wish I new! They are Guyot trained, and cropped well last year, but despite netting them at the first signs of bird problems, the cheeky Blackbirds found their way in and continued to feast. I admitted defeat and let them strip the lot. This year I'll be netting them properly, and hope to get maybe a gallon per vine, though this is a wild guess.

Mark

[southlondongardener]

Apparently birds can be scared by doubled backed cds shiny side out, I will try that this year.
Also for grapes if you grow blackberries the birds will leave them alone.

[barrie tough]

just got a aurore & a merlot vines plus a kiwi fruit will they grow in my plot ok,any advice would be welcome.just want to try some thing different from veg.

[fiveravens]

I don't know about aurore - but I think the merlot should be under glass (or polythene) to ripen its grapes.

[southlondongardener]

just got a aurore & a merlot vines plus a kiwi fruit will they grow in my plot ok,any advice would be welcome.just want to try some thing different from veg.

Is there the kiwi fruit one which has male and female flowers ?