Vitis ‘Edelweiss’ White Grape

Vitis ‘Edelweiss’ White Grape is a woody deciduous grapevine that’s ornamental as well as productive, prized for fruit and foliage. The vine blooms in tiny white flowers in mid to late spring followed by large clusters of big, luscious, aromatic, white-seeded fruit, harvestable early season, from early summer to early fall. When harvested early, the grapes have a high sugar content and a very sweet, pleasant flavor. When harvested late, the flavor becomes stronger and muskier, with the Vitis labrusca foxy aroma characteristics. The grapes are ideal for fresh eating, for juicing, or for making jams, jellies, and wines. Edelweiss wines can be sweet to semi-sweet white wines with a mild, fruity labrusca flavor and notes of pineapple, peach, and citrus when harvested early.

Vitis ‘Edelweiss’ White Grape is a hardy, highly vigorous vine. The first year, the grapevine should be allowed to run freely, but by the second or third year, it should be posted or staked after a heavy pruning, leaving only 2 or 3 buds on the strongest stem. As it grows, keep only the most vigorous sprout to form the main stem. Regular spraying and pruning will maximize fruit production. Grapevines can be cultivated on a wire trellis, espaliered on a courtyard wall, or trained on an arbor, pergola, or fence for a striking garden feature.

Grapevines grow best in sunny locations with deep, medium moist, well-draining soil but are adaptable to a wide range of soils and do especially well in clays and loams that have been improved with organic matter, if they have good drainage. Site location should be sheltered from winter winds. Shallow cultivation and mulch are beneficial. ‘Edelweiss’ has excellent disease resistance and is considered cold hardy but has an early bud break and may require winter protection in Zone 4.

The vine is self-fertile and will bear fruit without any 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.