Grape varieties
Somerset Seedless
Vanessa
Vitis 'Reliance'
Mars
somerset seedless
In the lush expanse of the Vista of Maine Vineyard in Green, Maine, a remarkable vine stands tall, its branches laden with clusters of vibrant red grapes. This vine, known as the Somerset Seedless grape or by its scientific moniker, Vitis sp. Somerset, is a testament to the ingenuity of its creator, Elmer Swenson, and the dedication of the vineyard's caretakers.
Harry, the head viticulturist at the Vista of Maine Vineyard, has meticulously tended to the Somerset vines, ensuring they thrived in their ideal environment. With a height at maturity of 1.2 meters and spaced 1.8 meters apart, these vines are given ample room to spread their roots and soak up the full sun, their preferred habitat for optimal growth.
Despite the challenging climate of Zone 3, Harry has selected the Somerset grapes for their exceptional hardiness, knowing they can withstand the harsh winters and still produce bountiful harvests. With well-drained soil beneath their feet, the Somerset vines flourish, their roots tapping into the rich nutrients of the earth to fuel their growth.
Each year, as the end of August approached, Harry and his team eagerly await the harvest season, knowing that the Somerset grapes will soon be ready for picking. With an average fruit weight of 1.5 to 2 grams per grape and 150 grams per cluster, these grapes are a sight to behold, their deep red hue shimmering in the sunlight like precious jewels.
As Harry reaches out to pluck a grape from the vine, he will marvele at its perfect round shape, with an average diameter of 1.3 centimeters. This grape, also known as ES 12-7-98, was the culmination of years of careful breeding and selection, a testament to the artistry of Elmer Swenson and the dedication of those who followed in his footsteps.
With each grape harvested, Harry feels a sense of pride knowing that he has contributing to the legacy of the Somerset grapevine. These grapes, self-fertile and capable of bearing fruit after just three years, are a symbol of resilience and determination, thriving against all odds to produce the sweetest, most succulent grapes imaginable.
When Harry looks out over the vineyard, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, he knows that the Somerset grapes will continue to flourish for years to come, a testament to the enduring beauty and bounty of the Vista of Maine Vineyard.
Vanessa
In the idyllic town of Green, Maine, nestled amidst the tranquil countryside, there bloomed a vineyard of unparalleled beauty and charm – the Vista of Maine U-pick Vineyard. Here, amidst rows of verdant vines, the air was alive with the promise of something extraordinary, something beyond compare. And at the heart of it all stood Andy, the steward of this magnificent vineyard.
Among the many varieties of grapes that flourished under Andy's care, there was one that captured the imagination like no other – the Vanessa grape. With its large, luscious fruit and striking black hue, the Vanessa grape was a sight to behold, a true gem in the crown of the Vista of Maine U-pick Vineyard.
Andy had chosen the Vanessa grape for its exceptional qualities – its ability to thrive in Zones 5 to 8, its early ripening season from August to September, and its adaptability to a wide range of soil pH levels, from 5.5 to 6.5. With proper spacing of 6 to 8 feet between each vine, the Vanessa grapes had room to spread their tendrils and soak up the warm Maine sun.
But perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Vanessa grape was its rapid maturity. With just 2 to 4 years to bear fruit, these vines were a testament to nature's bounty and resilience, bearing large clusters of grapes that promised a harvest beyond compare.
As the ripening season approached, Andy watched with anticipation as the Vanessa grapes transformed from tiny green orbs to plump, juicy delights, their deep black color shimmering in the sunlight. And when the time came to harvest, the vineyard was a hive of activity, as visitors from near and far flocked to the Vista of Maine U-pick Vineyard to partake in the bounty of the Vanessa grapes.
But amidst the joy and excitement of the harvest, there was a bittersweet realization – the Vanessa grape was prohibited from being grown in certain states, including Oregon, New York, California, and Idaho. Despite this setback, Andy remained undeterred, knowing that the Vanessa grape would continue to thrive in the welcoming embrace of the Vista of Maine U-pick Vineyard for years to come.
And as the sun set over the vineyard, casting a golden glow over the rows of Vanessa grapevines, Andy couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude. For in the Vanessa grape, he had found not just a crop, but a symbol of resilience, beauty, and the enduring spirit of the Vista of Maine U-pick Vineyard.
Vitis 'Reliance'
In the quaint town of Green, Maine, where the gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers and the fields stretched as far as the eye could see, there flourished a vineyard that was a beacon of community and tradition – the Vista of Maine Pick Your Own Vineyard. And at the helm of this family-owned establishment stood Sam, son of Harry and brother of Andy, carrying on the legacy of his forebears with pride and passion.
Among the many grape varieties that graced the vineyard's soil, there was one that held a special place in Sam's heart – the Vitis 'Reliance' grape. With its medium-sized fruit, painted in hues of vibrant red, and delicate white blooms that adorned the vine like pearls, the Reliance grape was a sight to behold, a true testament to nature's beauty.
Sam had chosen the Reliance grape for its exceptional qualities – its ability to thrive in Zones 5 to 8, its self-pollinating nature, and its early ripening season in August. With a preference for full sun and well-drained, loamy soil with a pH level of 5.5 to 6.5, the Reliance grape found the perfect home in the welcoming embrace of the Vista of Maine Pick Your Own Vineyard.
But it was not just the grape's resilience and adaptability that captured Sam's admiration; it was also its exquisite taste and firm texture that set it apart. With a sweetness that lingered on the palate and a firmness that hinted at the grape's freshness, the Reliance grape was a delight to the senses, a true testament to the artistry of nature.
As the years passed, the Reliance grape vines flourished under Sam's watchful eye, their tendrils reaching ever higher towards the sky as they soaked up the warmth of the Maine sun. And when the time came to harvest, the vineyard was a hive of activity, as families from near and far gathered to partake in the bounty of the Reliance grapes.
With each grape harvested, Sam felt a sense of pride knowing that he was continuing the legacy of his family and contributing to the community that had nurtured him. For in the Reliance grape, he had found not just a fruit, but a symbol of resilience, beauty, and the enduring spirit of the Vista of Maine Pick Your Own Vineyard.
Mars
In the serene landscape of Green, Maine, where the earth met the sky in a tranquil embrace, there existed a haven of beauty and bounty known as the Vista of Maine Pick Your Own Vineyard. Amidst the rolling hills and verdant valleys, the vines of the vineyard bore witness to the timeless cycle of growth and harvest, and at the heart of it all stood the Mars table grapes.
These grapes, with their medium to large size and striking blue hue, were a sight to behold, a true marvel of nature's craftsmanship. From their earliest days, the Mars grapes had been nurtured with care and devotion, their vines weaving a tapestry of life and vitality that stretched across the vineyard.
Under the watchful eye of the vineyard's caretakers, the Mars grapes thrived in their ideal environment, their roots sinking deep into the rich, loamy soil with a pH level of 5.5 to 6.5. With proper spacing of 6 to 8 feet between each vine, they had ample room to spread their tendrils and soak up the warmth of the Maine sun.
As the seasons changed and the days grew shorter, the Mars grapes ripened on the vine, their deep blue color contrasting against the backdrop of green foliage. And when September arrived, signaling the start of the harvest season, the vineyard buzzed with activity as families from near and far gathered to pick their own grapes.
With each pluck of a grape from the vine, there was a sense of connection – to the land, to the community, and to the timeless rhythm of nature. For in the Mars grapes, there was a reminder of the beauty and bounty that surrounded them, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Vista of Maine Pick Your Own Vineyard.
And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the vineyard, there was a sense of gratitude – for the Mars grapes, for the land that nourished them, and for the bond that united them all in a shared appreciation of nature's gifts. For in the Vista of Maine Pick Your Own Vineyard, there was magic to be found in every cluster of grapes, and the Mars grapes were no exception.