Grape Vine (Concord)

Description

Concord is one of the most consequential fruit cultivars ever developed in North America — selected in 1849 by Ephraim Wales Bull in Concord, Massachusetts, from seedlings of wild Vitis labrusca that grew on his property. Bull spent six years evaluating seedlings before settling on the variety that would go on to anchor the American grape juice and jelly industries, and Concord remains the cultivar that defines what most Americans recognize as the flavor of grape.

The fruit is large, blue-black, and slip-skin — meaning the skin separates cleanly from the pulp, which is the trait that makes Concord particularly well-suited to juicing and jelly. Fruit is seeded; if you are looking for a seedless version, Concord Seedless is a separate cultivar. The flavor is the distinctive “foxy” character of Vitis labrusca — sweet, aromatic, deeply musky, and unmistakable — that defines American grape juice and which contrasts with the more wine-like flavors of European Vitis vinifera grapes.

Concord is self-fertile, very cold-hardy, and reliably productive once established. The vine is vigorous and grows readily on a standard trellis, arbor, or fence; it tolerates a range of soils and is one of the more forgiving grapes for new growers. Fruit ripens in early to mid-fall and is best for juice, jelly, jam, traditional Concord wine, and table eating where the seeded character is acceptable.

Overview

• Heritage American grape developed in 1849 by Ephraim Wales Bull.
• Large blue-black slip-skin berries; fruit is seeded.
• Distinctive aromatic “foxy” Vitis labrusca flavor.
• Excellent for juice, jelly, jam, traditional wine, and table eating.
• Self-fertile, very cold-hardy, and vigorous.
• Reliable and forgiving — one of the easier grapes for new growers.

Growing Details

Latin Name: Vitis labrusca ‘Concord’Site and Soil: Full sun; well-drained soil; tolerant of a range of soilsHardiness: Very cold-hardy; suitable across most temperate North American climatesRootstock: Grown on own roots from cuttingsBearing Age: 2–3 years after plantingSize at Maturity: Vigorous climbing vine; needs a trellis, arbor, or fenceBloom Time: Late springRipening Time: Early to mid-fallPollination: Self-fertileFruit: Seeded — fruit contains seeds; Concord Seedless is a separate cultivarPests & Diseases: Vitis labrusca cultivars are comparatively low-pressure for pests and diseases compared with Vitis vinifera; standard grape management for fungal issues may be appropriate in humid regions

Additional Notes

• Grower’s Insight: Concord’s flavor is the defining American grape character — the slip-skin texture, the foxy aromatic sweetness, and the seeded structure are not defects to be bred out but the signature qualities the cultivar is grown for, and they shine particularly well in juice, jelly, jam, and traditional Concord wine.
• Regional Insight: Concord performs across most of temperate North America, from the maritime Pacific Northwest through the Midwest, Northeast, and into the upper South — it is one of the most broadly adaptable grape cultivars in North American commerce.
• Explore more grapes in our collection: Grapes