Cab sauv in cold

[nicklausjames]

My parents own a farm in upstate ny. The zip is 14098 and according to my research it is zone 6. I found a few website that sell vines online and they say cab sauv, merlots, pinot gris can be grown in this climate. I am wondering if anyone has tried this or knows whether it is true?

 

[salcoco]

I am originally from what is considered up state NY near Syracuse, I would not classify it as a good place to grow vinifera grapes.
I would suggest calling Double A vineyards. they are located in Rochester New York, I believe, and they should be able to give you straight information.

If marginal I would lean toward Riesling and Cabernet Franc.

Edit: I just checked the web site for Double A vineyards. they did not recommend any of the grapes you mentioned for Zone 6. Riesling and Cabernet Franc were recommended. looks like they were sold out of Riesling.
I would definitely coordinate your purchase with Double A vineyards.

 

[grapeman]

I think it would be a real stretch to grow them there. That is only a few miles from Lake Ontario and in a pretty heavy snow belt. They might live there but who know if there is enough growing season and degree days to fully ripen them.

 

[nicklausjames]

Thx. Yea I looked at double a and saw they did not have the grapes for that zone. Other sites did/do. Honestly if the grapes grew there I think others would already be growing them commwrially. Land is cheap there and there is plenty of it. Anyone know how cab franc wine turns out? Is it a red or whit?

 

[sour_grapes]

Cab Franc is a nice red. It is one of the parents of Cab Sauv, and was one of the two principal Bordeaux grapes (along with Merlot) until Cab Sauv came along in the 19th century. That was off the top of my head, but here is more info here: http://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-75-cabernet-franc