FAQS

Vermont grows American grape varieties that are naturally more resistant to disease and resilient in the face of climate change. These grape varieties make delicious wines that speak of our landscape and mirror our local food ways and ingredients.

You can visit several wineries and their tasting rooms to taste Vermont wines. Some wineries have tasting rooms with regular hours, others are open by pop-up or special event, and some can be booked for special guided tastings. Check out our Members Page for wineries to visit!

Several local wineshops and restaurants also carry Vermont wines. Just ask your salesperson or server or sommelier when you visit a Vermont hospitality business!

No. Vermont’s climate is too cold for European varieties like these. Our regional varieties are cold hardy because of their northern American grape ancestry which evolved in our colder climate.

Yes, Vermont grapes are cold climate cross pollinations— hybrids —of more than one grape species. Our varieties are complex crosses between wild native American grape varieties, other hybrids, and tradtional European Vitis vinifera wine grapes.

No, hybrids are NOT genentically modified. They are bred by hand in the nursery using centuries old methods. To learn more about grape breeding techniques visit Cornell University.

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Most Vermont grape varieties are from the University of Minnesota and Cornell horticulture programs or from private breeders who work with these two institutions. Some Vermont wine producers also work with more historic hybrids from both America and France. Many Vermont vineyards purchase their vines from one of our members, an in-state nursery called Northeastern Vine Supply, located in West Pawlet, one of the most well-respected vine nurseries in the United States.