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.
News
2019 ICCWC Winners
The 2019 ICCWC Winners are announced.
Click here to see the full list of winning wines
Minnesota Governor's Cup
Blue La Crescent (2017) The Winery Sovereign Estate, Waconia Minnesota
Winery of the Year
Dancing Dragonfly Winery, Saint Croix Falls, WI
Best of Show White Wine
St. Pepin (2017) Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery, Kewaunee, WI
Best of Show Rosé Wine
You Betcha Blush (2018) Carols Creek Winery, Alexandria, MN
Best of Show Red Wine
Marquette (2018) Vintage Escapes Winery, Kilkenny, MN
Best of Show Speciality/Fortified Wine
Lindy (2017) Dancing Dragonfly Winery, Saint Croix Falls, WI
Many thanks to the sponsors! You can find the list here.
Click here to see the full list of winning wines
2019 ICCWC
August 15, 2019
The MGGA in partnership with the University of Minnesota is
happy to announce the 11th Annual International Cold Climate Wine
Competition. As the only competition dedicated to cold climate grape
varietals, registration will be open to any commercial winemaker
producing wine using cold-hardy grape varieties (as defined in the rules)
may enter.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
IMPORTANT DATES:
Registration closes August 2, 2019 at 11:00 p.m. CDT.
Early Bird discount ends midnight July 10, 2019.
Delivery of wines no later than August 9, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. CDT.
a. Entered wines must be postmarked or delivered in-person
no later than August 9, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. CDT, with registration
form.
FEES:
$55 per entry.
Early Bird discount is $15 per bottle or $40 per entry (if registered
by midnight July 10, 2019).
Fees are non-refundable and required for each wine entered in
the competition.