Vitis vinifera Himrod - Grape vine

The Himrod grape is a vigorous American variety, capable of reaching a height of 4m (13ft) or more when trained on a trellis or arbour. This variety produces a sweet, amber-yellow dessert grape with raspberry notes, ready for harvest as early as August. The medium-sized clusters bear medium-sized, seedless berries. This vine thrives in most neutral to alkaline, well-drained soils in sunny locations. It is resistant to cold and common vine diseases.

The wine grape (Vitis vinifera) grew wild over 5000 years ago in North and Central America, Europe, and Central and Eastern Asia. The wild subspecies, sylvestris, still exists as a climbing vine, growing on the edges of forests and capable of reaching great heights in trees. The current varieties, known as grape varieties, are classified under the vinifera subspecies (although there are other cultivated species, but they are very minor).

Himrod is an interspecific hybrid with 75% Vitis vinifera (our classic vine) and 25% Vitis labrusca, an American species known as the Raspberry Vine. This variety is the result of crossbreeding in 1928 by A.B. Stout at the Grape Breeding and Research Station in Geneva, New York, USA, between the Ontario variety (a white grape highly resistant to frost) and the Sultanina (or Thompson Seedless), a variety widely used for raisin production.

This vine buds early, even before Chasselas, and is adorned with trilobed, beautiful bright green leaves. it is very vigorous and can cover a trellis or arbour, reaching a height of 4m (13ft) or more if left unpruned. It is self-fertile and highly productive and its flowers develop into medium-sized, cylindrical clusters bearing spherical or slightly oval medium-sized berries. These thin-skinned grapes are greenish-yellow, maturing to amber-yellow with a slight surface bloom. The flesh is smooth and juicy with a subtle raspberry aroma inherited from its Vitis lambrusca ancestry. It is reputed to be seedless, although occasionally some soft and imperceptible seeds may be present. It is a good idea to perform green pruning to remove some leaves so that the grapes are well exposed to the sun and can acquire their beautiful golden colour, a guarantee of their taste quality. This early variety reaches maturity in August.
This very hardy (down to -20°C (-4°F) or even -25°C (-13°F)) vine thrives in full sun, in neutral to alkaline, or even slightly acidic soil, with good drainage. Ordinary, even rocky soil is sufficient, as long as it is not too dry. Excessive soil fertility or excessive feeding will benefit the vegetation more than the fruit. Simply apply organic fertiliser after harvest to provide reserves for the winter. Your vine will use this to start strong in the following spring. Himrod is quite resistant to common vine diseases, another asset of this variety.

Himrod grapes can be enjoyed fresh or as juice, for example in a vitamin-packed fruit cocktail at breakfast. In the United States, they are also used for winemaking. In general, grapes are rich in B vitamins, a source of fibre and manganese, and well supplied with antioxidants. They are also believed to play a role in preventing cardiovascular diseases, and most importantly, they are a healthy, natural, and delicious dessert. Himrod grapes have delightful raspberry notes. You can plant them alongside other varieties, such as black grapes like the famous Muscat de Hambourg, with its sweet berries and musky flavour, to vary the harvest.