Okay, now we’ve got the basics, let’s get into some of the best varieties for home gardeners!
Also worth noting, all the vines listed here are self-pollinating, but planting in multiples typically results in greater harvests.
1. Cabernet Sauvignon
A vineyard classic, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ (V. vinifera) develops beautiful, tightly packed clusters of blue-purple grapes with a dusty bloom and a sweet, fruity flavor that make richly bodied red wines.
The “bloom” refers to the dusty covering on the fruits, not flower blooms.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The vines have good heat resistance and thrive in warm summers, growing six to 10 feet long. Fruits are harvested late in the season and plants are hardy in Zones 6 to 10.
Bare root stock is available at Nature Hills Nursery.
2. Canadice
Versatile and easy to grow, ‘Canadice’ (V. labrusca) has glowing, ruby red seedless berries that are sweet and juicy with a hint of spice, making them ideal for fresh eating, jams, jellies, and juicing.
The robust vines have above average disease resistance and grow 12 to 18 feet long, with the fruit harvested in mid-season.
‘Canadice’
They also have excellent cold hardiness and are suitable for cultivation in Zones 3 to 8.
Plants in one-gallon containers are available at Nature Hills.
3. Carlos
‘Carlos’ (V. rotundifolia) is a bronze muscadine type appreciated for its high sugar content and strong flavor, widely used for wine, juice, and preserves.
The self-fertile vines are vigorous and disease resistant, thriving in hot, humid conditions.
‘Carlos’
They grow 10 to 20 feet long and are harvested in late summer. Hardy in Zones 7 to 10.
Plants are available at Fast Growing Trees.
4. Chardonnay
Highly popular with winemakers, ‘Chardonnay’ (V. vinifera) features ample clusters of crisply textured, golden green grapes that are widely used in the production of both still and sparkling white wines.
Chardonnay
Attractive, lush vines are heat resistant and grow six to 12 feet long, with the fruits harvested in late summer. Plants are hardy in Zones 5 to 9.
You can find bare root plants available at Nature Hills Nursery.
5. Concord
‘Concord’ (V. labrusca) is a seedless variety that produces abundant clusters of deep blue-purple grapes with a sweet flavor and a distinctive musky aroma that makes this variety so popular.
Excellent for fresh eating, juicing, and making jellies, the vigorous vines are cold hardy and adaptable.
Concord
They grow 10 to 15 feet long and ripen in midseason. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8.
Plants in one-gallon containers are available at Fast Growing Trees.
6. Einset
Held in luscious, tight clusters, the beautiful, bright red seedless berries of hybrid ‘Einset’ (V. vinifera x labrusca) are dusted in a pretty, waxy bloom and delicious for snacking, preserves, and juicing.
The crunchy fruits are firm and flavorful with a hint of strawberry and have good crack resistance for a long shelf life.
‘Einset’
Ripening in early autumn, the vines grow six to eight feet long and are hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
Bare root plants are available at Burpee.
7. Fredonia
Hybrid ‘Fredonia’ (V. labrusca x V. vinifera) is a flavorful, Concord-type with generous clusters of inky blue berries featuring a crisp texture and sweet flavor with a tangy hint of spice.
The flavor makes them popular for fresh eating and the production of rosé wines.
‘Fredonia’
Growing 10 to 20 feet in length, the robust vines have good disease resistance and cold hardiness. They are suitable for cultivation in Zones 4 to 8.
Plants in one- or two-gallon containers can be purchased at Perfect Plants Nursery.
8. Hope
Prized for their large, seedless green berries with a full, fruity flavor, hybrid ‘Hope’ (V. labrusca × V. vinifera) is a moderately vigorous vine that produces extremely high yields.
The soft, tender flesh of the grapes is perfect for fresh eating, drying, and preserves, with the tight-clustering bunches ripening in early autumn.
‘Hope’
The compact vines grow four to six feet long and are hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
Two-packs of bare root plants are available at Burpee.
9. Lakemont
‘Lakemont’ (V. labrusca) is a seedless white grape that forms large clusters of pale yellow-green fruits. The grapes are sweet, firm, and well-suited for fresh eating and drying into raisins.
The vines are productive, cold hardy, and have good resistance to fungal disease.
‘Lakemont’
Growing 10 to 15 feet long, they produce fruit in midseason. Hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
Bare root plants are available at Nature Hills Nursery.
10. Mars
‘Mars’ (V. labrusca) is a seedless variety sporting tight clusters of round, deep purple fruit with a sweet, bold flavor that’s valued for fresh eating, jellies, and juices.
A good choice for hot, dry summers, the vigorous vines have above average disease resistance and grow 12 to 20 feet, with clusters ready for harvest in the late season.
‘Mars’
‘Mars’ is hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
Plants in one-gallon containers are available at Nature Hills Nursery.
11. Marquis
Luminous and delicious, ‘Marquis’ (V. vinifera) is a seedless white variety with generous clusters of large, oblong golden-green grapes with a crisply sweet flavor.
They are perfect for eating fresh or making preserves, and they also make a delicate white wine.
‘Marquis’
The vines are robust, growing four to 10 feet long and add ornamental value as well as fruit production. Hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
You can find bare root plants available at Burpee.
12. Niagara
Highly versatile and popular, ‘Niagara’ (V. labrusca) is a seedless green variety prized for its sweet flavor, firm flesh, and juiciness.
The grapes are used for fresh eating, preserves, plus champagne and winemaking.
‘Niagara’
The lush, vigorous vines grow up to 20 feet long and are mostly disease resistant, with fruits ready for harvest in midseason. Hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
You can find bare roots available at Nature Hills Nursery.
13. Pinot Noir
The classic red Burgundy cultivar, ‘Pinot Noir’ (V. vinifera) develops dense clusters of luscious blue-purple fruits that are used in the production of full-flavored red wines as well as rosés.
Lush vines grow six to 10 feet long and feature good heat and humidity tolerance.
Pinot Noir
Suitable for cultivation in Zones 5 to 10, the fruits are among the earliest to ripen and are harvested in late summer.
Bare root plants are available at Nature Hills Nursery.
14. Reliance
‘Reliance’ (V. ‘Ontario’ x V. ‘Suffolk Red’) is an American hybrid that produces gorgeous, drooping clusters of medium-sized, plum-purple fruits.
The berries are seedless with a rich flavor and sweet, musky scent that’s excellent for fresh eating or in jams and jellies.
‘Reliance’
Ripening in early to midseason, the vines grow up to 15 to 20 feet long, have good disease resistance, and are winter hardy in Zones 4 to 8.
You can find bare root plants available at Burpee.
15. Saint Theresa
A beautiful seedless hybrid, ‘Saint Theresa’ (V. labrusca x V. vinifera) features large, abundant clusters of medium to large purple fruits.
The rich, sweet flavors are ideal for baking, fresh eating, jam, jelly, and juice.
‘Saint Theresa’
A vigorous grower with good disease resistance, vines grow 15 to 20 feet with a late season harvest. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.
Bare root plants are available at Burpee.
16. Sauvignon Blanc
A seedless variety with ample clusters of fragrant, blush-tinged golden fruit, ‘Sauvignon Blanc’ (V. vinifera) has a zingy, herbal flavor that’s used extensively in making both still and sparkling white wines.
The leaves are also widely used in Mediterranean cooking.
Sauvignon Blanc
The verdant vines thrive in hot summers, growing 10 to 12 feet with the fruits harvested early, from mid-August onwards. Hardy in Zones 6 to 10.
Bare root plants are available at Nature Hills.
17. Southern Home
‘Southern Home’ (V. rotundifolia × V. vinifera) is a muscadine hybrid with lobed, maple-like foliage and clusters of dark purple-black fruits that are suitable for fresh eating, preserves, and winemaking.
‘Southern Home’
The vines are heat and humidity tolerant, highly disease resistant, and grow 10 to 15 feet long with a late-season harvest. Hardy in Zones 7 to 10.
Bare root plants are available at Nature Hills Nursery.
18. Thomcord
With a fruity fragrance and light, sweet flavor, hybrid ‘Thomcord’ (V. labrusca x V. vinifera) is a seedless variety with deep, indigo purple fruits covered with a light bloom.
Delicious for fresh eating, jams, and juices, ‘Thomcord’ also dries well for plump, tasty raisins.
‘Thomcord’
The highly vigorous vines have above average disease and heat resistance, growing up to 30 feet long. Hardy in Zones 6 to 9.
You can find bare root plants available at Nature Hills Nursery.
19. Zinfandel
The frosted, dark purple-black fruits of ‘Zinfandel’ (V. vinifera) are highly aromatic with flavors of blackberry, cherry, and plum that make superb, full-bodied red wines and juices.
The leaves are often used for dishes like stuffed dolmades.
These midsized vines grow six to 12 feet long, have good heat resistance, and are highly attractive to pollinators.
Zinfandel
The fruits are harvested in midseason and plants are hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
Bare root plants can be purchased at Nature Hills Nursery.
Fruit of the Vine
Vitis varieties are prized for their attractive, climbing growth, lush foliage, and clusters of colorful grapes that are used on the table, in preserves, and for delicious beverages!
Make your selection based on how you want to use the fruits, then select the cultivars best suited for your climate and available growing space.
In just a few years, you’ll reap the rewards with ample clusters of flavorful, juicy fruits!
What varieties do you folks like to grow – table, winemaking, or a combo? Let us know in the comments section below!
And if you’d like to learn more about fruiting vines and bushes, be sure to add these guides to your reading list next: