Recommended Wine Grape Varieties for Maryland
RED VINIFERA
| VARIETY | RIPENING | VIGOR¹ | YIELD² | MARYLAND ZONES³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbera | Mid to Late | M-V | 3 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Cabernet Franc | Mid to Late | M-V | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Lemberger (Blau) | Early to Mid | M-V | 0 to 3 | East but West (preferable) |
| Malbec | Early | M-V | 1 to 3 | East, South, & West (best sites only) |
| Merlot | Mid | M-V | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West (best sites only) |
| Petit Verdot | Mid to Late | M-V | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Sangiovese | Mid to Late | M-V | 3 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Souzao | Early | M-V | 1 to 3 | East, South, & West |
| Teroldego | Mid to Late | V | 3 to 4 | East, South, & West |
¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones
WHITE VINIFERA
| VARIETY | RIPENING | VIGOR¹ | YIELD² | MARYLAND ZONES³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albarino | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Chardonnay | Early to Mid | V | 2 to 3 | East, South, & West |
| Colombard | Mid to Late | V | 3 to 8 | East, South, & West |
| Gruner Veltliner | Early to Mid | M-V | 1 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Muscat Blanc | Early | M-V | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Petit Manseng | Late | M-V | 3 to 4 | East & South Only |
| Pinot Blanc | Early to Mid | M-V | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Pinot Gris/Grigio | Early | M-V | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Roussanne | Mid | M-V | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Sauvignon Blanc | Early | V | 3 to 6 | East, South, & West |
¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones
RED HYBRID
| VARIETY | RIPENING | VIGOR¹ | YIELD² | MARYLAND ZONES³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambourcin | Late | M-V | 3 to 8 | East, South, & West |
¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones
WHITE HYBRID
| VARIETY | RIPENING | VIGOR¹ | YIELD² | MARYLAND ZONES³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayuga White | Early | M | 4 to 6 | East, South, & West |
| Chardonel | Mid | M-V | 3 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Seyval Blanc | Mid | M-V | 4 to 6 | East, South, & West |
| SK77 5-3 | Early | M | 3 to 4 | East, South, & West |
| Traminette | Mid-Late | M-V | 4 to 6 | East, South, & West |
| Valvin Muscat | Mid | M-V | 3 to 4 | West Only |
| Vidal Blanc | Mid-late | V | 4 to 6 | East, South, & West |
| Vignoles | Early-Mid | M-V | 2 to 3 | East but West (preferable) |
¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones
SUPER HARDY HYBRIDS⁴
| VARIETY | RIPENING | VIGOR¹ | YIELD² | MARYLAND ZONES³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette (red) | Very Early | V | 2 to 4 | West Mountains Only |
¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones
⁴SUPER HARDY HYBRIDS: These varieties have been developed to tolerate temperatures down to -30F
TRIAL WINE GRAPE CULTIVARS FOR REGIONS IN MARYLAND
| VARIETY | RIPENING | VIGOR¹ | YIELD² | MARYLAND ZONES³ | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelois | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West | Red Hybrid |
| Gamaret | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West | Red vinifera |
| Gamay Noir | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West | Red vinifera |
| La Crescent (white) | Mid | V | 2 to 4 | West Mountains Only | White SH Hybrid |
| Montepulciano | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West | Red vinifera |
| PicPol | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West | White vinifera |
| Tannat | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West | Red vinifera |
| Tempranillo | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West | Red vinifera |
| Verdejo | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West | White vinifera |
| Verdelho | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West | White vinifera |
| Vermentino | Mid | M | 2 to 4 | East, South, & West | White vinifera |
¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones