Isabella grapes: origin, cultivation & harvest

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The deep blue Isabella grape impresses with its characteristic wild berry taste. The variety is ideally suited for the production of rosé wine as well as table grapes.

Isabella grapes
Isabella grapes ready for harvest [Photo: Zhukov Oleg / Shutterstock.com]

The robust and disease-resistant Isabella grape impresses with its wild berry aroma and the wide range of processing options. Here we show where the old grape variety comes from and how you cultivate the Isabella grape in your own garden.

contents

  • Isabella grape: profile
  • Origin and history
  • Taste and characteristics of the ‘Isabella’ grape variety
  • Special features when cultivating and caring for the table grape
  • Harvesting and processing Isabella grapes

Isabella grape: profile

fruit Table and grapes, medium-sized - large, oval, deep blue
taste Pronounced "fox tone" (strawberry flavor)
Harvest time
Mid-late
Vigor Strong growing
climate Sunny, warm, only south face
Diseases and pests Resistant to phylloxera and powdery mildew
Sensitivity to frost Small amount
Isabella grapes
The grape variety 'Isabella' is an old direct carrier variety from the USA [Photo: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH / Shutterstock.com]

Origin and history

The Isabella grape originally comes from the USA and has been known since 1816. In the second half of the 19th In the early 1900s, most European grape varieties suffered severe crop failures due to their susceptibility to phylloxera. Since the Isabella grape, which comes from the USA, is resistant to this pest, the variety quickly spread in Europe. Even today it can still be found almost everywhere here. The Isabella grape also occurs in the Austrian Burgenland and is used there for the production of the local wine specialty Uhudler.

Isabella grape cultivation
The Isabella grape is cultivated in Burgenland [Photo: PIXEL to the PEOPLE / Shutterstock.com]

Why is the Isabella grape banned? First of all: The private cultivation of Isabella grapes is permitted and does not involve any legal difficulties.

But why does the question of a ban on Isabella grapes even arise? Unlike most cultivated grapes, the Isabella grape is a direct producer. It has not been grafted, which means: it grows on its own root and has not been grafted onto another substrate. Domestic direct producer varieties have been in Europe since the 20th Banned from the 20th century to this day to prevent phylloxera infestation. Since then, European varieties have had to be refined on American, phylloxera-resistant bases. Since the Isabella grape is an American direct carrier variety, it is resistant to the pest anyway. Nevertheless, it still officially falls under historical law, which is a hindrance, especially in commercial cultivation. The private cultivation of the Isabella grape is allowed.

Due to the intense wild berry taste, the Isabelle grape is very different in taste from European grape varieties. For a long time, the quality of the variety was judged to be inferior due to its inherent taste. Wines made from Isabella grapes are enjoying increasing popularity among wine connoisseurs today.

Isabella grapes
Isabella grapes ripe for harvest on the vine [Photo: AnnaSavina1 / Shutterstock.com]

Taste and characteristics of the ‘Isabella’ grape variety

The characteristic taste of the Isabella grape is referred to in wine circles as the "fox tone", which is intensely reminiscent of forest berries. This is why the grape variety is often called the strawberry grape 'Isabella'.
Isabella grapes contain seeds. The berries are medium-sized, oval and heavily frosted. A thick, dark blue skin surrounds the jelly-like, pink pulp. The grapes are suitable for making rosé wines as well as table grapes.

Isabella grape wine
Rosé wine with the typical Fox tone is made from the Isabella grape [Photo: Dasha Petrenko / Shutterstock.com]

Special features when cultivating and caring for the table grape

Since the Isabella grape has a very good frost resistance, cultivation in cooler regions is also an option. A house wall facing south or something similar offers optimal conditions. As with all grape varieties, a location with good air movement is advantageous in order to ensure that the fruit dries quickly and to avoid diseases such as gray mold and powdery mildew on the wine. If the vine is offered such a location, no measures against powdery mildew and phylloxera are necessary and the Isabella grape is also very resistant to other fungal diseases.

by the way: Since the ‘Isabella’ grape variety grows on its own roots, it can be propagated very easily using cuttings or sinkers. Like these vegetative reproduction works, you can read more in our relevant article.

Propagation of the Isabella grape
‘Isabella’ can easily be propagated using cuttings [Photo: Manfred Rucksackzio / Shutterstock.com]


The soil should be deep and permeable for the deep-rooted vine. In the Planting the grapevine In spring or late autumn, we recommend loosening the substrate and adding fertilizer so that the young stock has optimal starting conditions. An important maintenance measure is the annual pruning of the grapevine in order to keep the vine healthy, compact and productive. The vigorous growth of the ‘Isabella’ grape variety can be well controlled by using a medium pruning method. A regular and adapted fertilizer application is also one of the important maintenance measures and is included in our special article for Fertilizing grapevines exactly explained.

Tip: As a vigorous variety with noticeably long tendrils, the ‘Isabella’ grape variety can also be grown as a pergola. The gnarled shoots look attractive even in winter and the fruits hang freely in late summer.

Isabella grape in pergola
Isabella grapes hanging freely in a pergola [Photo: Zhukov Oleg / Shutterstock.com]

Harvesting and processing Isabella grapes

Isabella grapes have sufficient sugar content for the pressing of wine. The Isabella grape has proven itself particularly for the production of rosé wines. But with its sweet, berry aroma, the variety has also found its way into the table grape for fresh consumption. Isabella grapes are great for making cakes, jelly, chutneys and juice. From the beginning of August to mid-October the fruits ripen irregularly and can be harvested little by little, which is particularly advantageous for fresh consumption.

Use of the Isabella grape
The Isabella grape is used in many ways in the kitchen [Photo: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com]

So that not too many of the delicious berries from animal gardeners during harvest time be eaten, a proud grapevine owner sometimes has to face all kinds of interested parties push through. We'll support you and explain how to do it Grapes against birds and wasps protects.