I'm just getting started in this effort. I was given the opportunity to get cuttings from a grape grower here in Central Missouri. I have pots of cuttings of Chardonelles and Nortons in my little greenhouse. They are leafing out, but when I pull them out I haven't noticed any rooot systems. I am keeping them moist and they look happy and I have been told just to keep them well watered and be patient.. So here I set anxiously waiting for my vines to mature.. I am even probably not going to take them out of the pots until next year.

I just found this site the other day.

I will probably use t posts and some sort of fencing wire for my trellises.. If I get that far.

I am estimating at this time that I have about 50 rooting Chardonelles .. The Nortons are much more stubborn. Maybe two or three leafing out of about 50-60 cuttings. Hoping that if I can get a few rooted that I can then propagate by layering.

How about you?

I am just getting started too. I have several Concords, a Fredonia (a gift), an unknown and I'm considering some whites (maybe German varieties?). I don't have NEARLY as many as you and probably others. I've just got them growing on little stakes but I need to set up a trellis system soon. I'm really not sure which one to do though! I see that the University in my state recommends a Geneva double curtain - sounds interesting. MO seems to have a lot of family owned vinyards. I'm curious to try a Norton - haven't done it yet! Same with others I keep hearing about - Baco Noir, etc.
Any one else??

I did plant some concords as well.

I would love to trade cuttings at some point in the future.
We certainly live in different zones , so we would have to do reseach on what does well in our areas! Right now, I am doing the " A Watch Pot never boils" ... Wondering if my baby grape vines will ever produce any grapes. I have this mental image of myself making my own vino and maybe setting around in about 20 years dusting off a bottle of my homemade wine saying to myself.. "Yes, 2010 was a very good year.. "

I tried to email you this but it came back undeliverable... email me to continue this conversation, ok?

Sounds like we have similar plans. My idea with the concords is to replicate a favorite wine of ours that's not sweet (not terribly dry but definately not a usual concord wine). It may never happen but I figure it will be fun to try. I've thought about muscadines too, but I hear they're THUGS.

What part of MO are you in?

The first year with the concords they tried to produce clusters. I left 1-2 on each vine to see what it would do. They were good, though small. This year (second) they've busted out all over and I'm not ready! I haven't permanently trellised them so they're just drooping all about. Its probably bad for them some how, but I just had a baby & can't get to that project right now. Maybe later in summer! I think most vines root very well, though I know concords are especially good rooters. Sounds like fun. The Fredonia is the only one that's puny (don't think it has any clusters on it), but that may be its site. It doesn't get much water at all. I figure they'll have to survive mostly on their own or be replaced, ya' know?

What else do you grow? Sounds like you're a very avid gardener! :-)

-Caroline
Anyone else? Come on!

I started about 3 years ago when I took a class at the local S Illinois community college on wine making and viticulture. We did lab (pruning) in several local vineyards and were allowed to collect as many cuttings as we wanted. I ended up with 96 Chardonells, 96 Reliance, 18 Chambourcin, 18 Mars (table)and about 96 other assorted types from Cayuga White, Norton, Frontenac to Bronx seedless for experimentation on climate and soil. I allowed a couple of vines to produce 1 cluster last year to verify variety and just because I had to have something for my effort but not enough to make wine just yet. This year is different the vines are loaded and am looking forward to the harvest.

That sounds like a lot of vines! Will you try to bottle all of that or sell it or? What a great way to get started.
I see both of you mentioned Chardonells. I haven't tried this and don't see it much. Can you describe it?

The reason for the Chardonelles as far as I was concerned was that I was given the cuttings for free.. Since then , I have tasted quite a lot of Chardonney and I think I like.. I had always been partial to a sweet red wine..

timgoodin, What a variety you have and what an opportunity to get such a wonderful variety!

If I ever get to retire, that sounds like a class I would enjoy.

What zone do you live in?

We bought 1-year old certified root stock from a nursery in northern california. This is their 3rd year and we expect to harvest enough to make 100 gallons or so of cab and syrah. CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!