Image of red grape clusters with thumprint grape breeding logo and the words "Grape breeding and enology"

Welcome to the Grape Breeding and Enology project website

Located at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, we conduct research in the Department of Horticultural Science and at the Horticultural Research Center. Our focus is on grapevine cultivar development which includes: wine grapes, table grape varieties, and ornamentals that survive and thrive in cold-climate conditions. We also work on understanding the mechanisms of disease and pest resistance so that we can incorporate these traits as a way to improve sustainability for Minnesota growers. In addition to breeding grapes, we develop and teach enology best practices for cold-hardy grapes.

Ask for Clarion!

By Kate Fessler, Drew Horton, John Thull, and Matt Clark

We have developed a short guide for our most recent UMN release, 'Clarion'! This high quality white wine cultivar is hardy to USDA Zone 5. Click on the preview below to open the PDF, or at the following link: Link to Clarion fact sheet.

Image of the first page of the Clarion fact sheet

News

Why VitisGen3?

The Grape Breeding and Enology team are thrilled to be kicking off a new grant project that is a vital next step for our program: VitisGen3. Why is the VitisGen3 project integral to the future of the grape industry? Because the next generation of grapevines will determine the future. This article is reposted from the VitisGen3 website


Fall Field Day

September 10, 2022


Join in celebrating the fall grape harvest with an open house hosted by the University of Minnesota Grape Breeding and Enology project.