Vitis Edelweiss White Grape is an woody deciduous grapevine that effortlessly combines beauty and bounty. This exquisite vine showcases tiny white flowers in mid to late spring that transform into large clusters of luscious, aromatic, white-seeded fruit in early summer to early fall. Harvested early, the grapes boast a high sugar content and a delightfully sweet flavor and are perfect for fresh eating, juicing, or crafting jams, jellies, and wines. If left to ripen, the flavor intensifies, revealing musky notes and the characteristic Vitis labrusca foxy aroma. Edelweiss wines offer a range from sweet to semi-sweet with a mild, fruity labrusca flavor. Early harvest brings out notes of pineapple, peach, and citrus, creating a sensory delight.
Hardy and highly vigorous, this vine requires careful pruning and training in the second or third year, after letting in run freely for the first year. Establish it on a wire trellis, espalier it on a courtyard wall, or create a striking garden feature on an arbor, pergola, or fence. Regular spraying and pruning ensure maximum fruit production, and its disease resistance makes it a resilient addition to your garden.
Grapevines thrive in sunny locations with well-draining soil, adapting to various soil types. While Edelweiss prefers deep, medium-moist soils, it flourishes in clays and loams enriched with organic matter. Winter winds should be avoided, and in Zone 4, consider providing winter protection due to its early bud break.
This self-fertile vine bears fruit independently, requiring no pollen from other varieties.
Edelweiss was introduced by Elmer Swenson, at the University of Minnesota, when Mr. Swenson was on the staff at the U of M Horticultural Research Center.
Grapes ship as 1-year-old plants.
