Ivan Grapes

A chance seedling found near Philomath, Oregon.  Brought to attention by the late grape collector William Schulz.   From it's appearance and traits, this selection could be a seedling of the French Hybrid "Cascade."  Ivan is a blue grape that ripens extremely early, earlier than anything else in my collection.  Clusters are small to medium, well filled, with small blue, neutral, juicy berries.   The vine is very productive, but relatively low vigor with rather thin canes.  The variety can often go above 20 degrees Brix in sugar and has withstood -25 F in Minnesota.   Rather low in acid, it has the right traits to make red wine in very cool, short season areas where few other grapes might ripen. The wine would probably be rather neutral with no distinct character.  Ripens six weeks or more before Concord. 

Prune to two bud spurs on cordon arms.  May have small diameter wood. 

A Bl W,T VE