Verona Grape
Verona Grape
(T.P. 1-1-34) U.S. Patent 30,631P3
Seedling from 1997 cross of (Macgregor’s Riparia 89 x St. Croix #5) x E.S. 5-4-16
Canadian Plant Breeder’s Rights Certificate #6333
Introduced in 2015
(T.P. 1-1-34) U.S. Patent 30,631P3
Seedling from 1997 cross of (Macgregor’s Riparia 89 x St. Croix #5) x E.S. 5-4-16
Canadian Plant Breeder’s Rights Certificate #6333
Introduced in 2015
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In the Vineyard
Good winter hardiness over many years in Hugo, although injured at Zone 4a and 3b sites during the 2014 Polar Vortex winter and again after the -38F cold event in January, 2019; best in U.S. Hardiness Zone 4b or warmer. Early winter hardiness experiences have been mixed. Probably owing to its late fruit ripening, Verona suffered significant primary and secondary bud damage during the November, 2014 cold snap which brought sudden below zero cold to Minnesota in mid and late November, -12F in Hugo. However, Verona suffered no injury from the December, 2016 cold event in Minnesota (-22F on 17 December in Hugo). Also, Verona was the only grape variety grown in the Palisade, Colorado wine region to suffer no injury from the severe cold event that occurred there in October, 2020. Excellent late winter hardiness. No injury after the February, 2021 two-week cold spell that culminated with a low of -32F on 15 February in Hugo, MN. Also, holds dormancy well during late winter warm spells, such as the record warm spell + freeze in March, 2012 that injured many other varieties, but not Verona. Late budbreak in spring, a few days before Petite Pearl. Secondary buds are fruitful. Widely adaptable to different soil types and alkalinity, from 6.0-8.0. Medium to high vigor, and more prone to lateral growth than Petite Pearl or Crimson Pearl. Requires more management to expose the fruit. Verona seems to excel in arid climates like Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming, but also has performed well throughout the Midwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. Disease Resistance Verona is quite resistant to Downy and Powdery Mildew. Some susceptibility to Black Rot in more humid regions like the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Midwest. A nominal well-timed spray program (two pre- and two post-bloom sprays), provides good Black Rot control on Verona. Occasionally, under wet conditions, Verona can show symptoms of Phomopsis . It is preventable with well-timed pre-bloom sprays. Late season berry splitting near the stem and subsequent berry shelling in Verona has been reported in some areas of the northeastern U.S. that experience wet late season conditions, such as Pennsylvania. One promising solution being explored is the application of calcium foliar nutrients, immediately pre-bloom and during berry development and maturation, to toughen the berry skins. During wet fall seasons, Verona grapes also could be harvested slightly early, before splitting becomes a problem, without significantly sacrificing quality. Third, growers should have oxidate or oxidate/insecticide on hand to dry up any splits and keep sour rot from getting established. |
Training System
Good fruit exposure and production on top wire cordon, with good canopy management. The Fruit
In the Winery
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