Our Grapes

At Savage Oakes Vineyard and Winery we currently grow nine varieties of cold hardy hybrid wine grapes. We planted the first block of four varieties on two acres in 2002. Over the past three seasons we have expanded to almost four acres with approximately 1800 vines.

The site on which the vineyard is located provides an ideal location for grape production. The south-facing sloping hillside catches long hours of sunshine essential for ripening, while the ever-present breezes maintain the airflow needed for vine health and frost protection.

These are the varieties we now grow:

"Outstanding" in his field...

RED GRAPES

Marechal Foch - A very early ripening black grape with small berries that produce a fruity light red table wine. The vines are hardy and medium in vigor and production.

Leon Millot - An early ripening black grape. The wine has a distinct berry aroma. Sister variety of Marechal Foch but earlier and more productive.

Frontenac - Extremely winter hardy red grape that produces a full bodied wine of high quality. From the University of Minnesota Breeding Program.

St. Croix - Medium to large red fruit. Hardy to minus 40 degrees. Becoming popular with northern winemakers.

NY73 - Product of the Geneva Breeding Program. Vigorous and moderately resistant to powdery mildew. The red wine has full body with black pepper character and moderate tannin content.

WHITE GRAPES

Cayuga White - One of the most productive and disease resistant varieties grown in New York. This versatile grape can be made into a semisweet wine emphasizing the fruity aromas, or, using oak aging, into a dry, less fruity wine. Its excellent cultural characteristics and high wine quality promise an important future for this variety.

Seyval Blanc - A yellow-white variety with large, compact clusters of medium berries. Winter hardiness is medium. An excellent white wine variety.

St. Pepin - Medium size, oval white berries with a fruity flavor. Wine produced is similar to Reisling in character. Also an excellent table grape. Must be planted next to other grape varieties because it requires cross pollination.