Grapes
The grape is one of the oldest cultivated fruits. Hieroglyphics (pictorial symbols used in the earliest known writing systems) show that Egyptians were involved in grape and wine production, and the early Romans were known to have developed new varieties. Grapes have been grown in California for more than 300 years. In 1769, Spanish explorers established missions throughout the state and planted a European grape variety known as the Mission. Native American wild grapes (of the species Vitis girdiana) grew along stream banks, but they were sour. As more settlers came to California, new European grape varieties (of the species Vitis vinifera) were introduced and used for eating fresh, and making raisins or wine.
| GRAPE - TABLE GRAPES | |
 | Autumn Royal (Seedless) A crisp, sweet-tasting grape called Autumn Royal makes a delicious snack for fall. Autumn Royal typically ripens the first or second week of October. The firm and generally seedless Autumn Royal berries are oval-shaped and about an inch long. Their black or purple-black skin has a whitish cast or bloom. Inside, the flesh is an attractive, translucent yellow-green. |
 | Black Monukka (Seedless) The Black Monukka is a medium sized black seedless table grape with tender skin and an excellent crisp, sweet flavor. One of the hardiest European varieties to 10*F. Good fresh or for raisins. Cane or spur pruning. Ripens August into September. |
 | Concord, Eastern (Seedless) Vigorous deciduous vine with bold-textured, deep green foliage. Grown for its medium-size clusters of edible, highly aromatic, blue-black grapes. Harvest late-August to September. Skin separates easily from the fruit. |
 | Crimson (Seedless) The seedless grape fruit of the Red Crimson Seedless Grape Vine is medium in size and grows in huge, triangular-shaped clusters. The Red Crimson Seedless grape is medium in size with a juicy, tasty aroma. A perfect snack for fall includes Red Crimson Seedless grape clusters, a glass of red wine, crackers, and cheese. |
 | Delight (Seedless) Delight (Queen of the Vineyard x Thompson Seedless). Bred by H. P. Olmo at the University of California at Davis. A sister seedling of Perlette, it's the better of the two in some ways. The fruit is sweeter with measurably higher sugar, ripening a bit earlier and with skin that cracks less than that of Perlette. Flavor is a light muscat. The shoots have a tendency to short internodes that make the vines more bushy. The result is a vine that is slower to establish, but easier to handle. Easily trained to cordons with spurs. |
 | Fantasy (Seedless) Fantasy Seedless is a mid-season black seedless table grape. Fantasy seedless is one of the popular black seedless table grape varieties grown commercially in California. Fantasy Seedless is a moderate producer. Fantasy Seedless has large berries that are thin skinned, firm and have excellent flavor when fully mature. |
 | Flame (Seedless) The Flame Seedless is a vigorous, heavy-bearing table grape that keeps well in storage. It produces large clusters of medium-large red grapes with a sweet flavor. Flame Seedless requires a long growing season. However, its good qualities, especially seedlessness, sweetness, and long shelf life, make it one of the most heavily farmed table grapes. |
 | Ladyfinger (Seedless) The Ladyfinger Seedless grape is a sweet grape and is elongated in large clusters and color varies from white to green. The grape of the is larger than the Thompson's Seedless and is popular as a table dessert treat. The Ladyfinger is an especially popular seedless grape vine for commercial orchards. |
 | Midgely's Purple (Seedless) A medium size, reddish-purple, seedless grape with a firm, crisp, sweet-flavored flesh. A heavy producer of very large bunches. Excellent for table use and raisins. Ripens: September Cane pruning. |
 | Perlette (Seedless) Perlette, meaning 'little pearl' in French, due to its round, lightly frosted-green appearance. Perlettes are firm green grapes with a mild, sweet to slightly tart flavor. This green, seedless table grape can be eaten fresh, in salads, as a snack or as a dessert. Perlette grapes are well-colored, plump, firmly attached to the stem and are fairly large. Grapes are always picked ripe, and do not ripen further once off the vine. |
 | Princess (Seedless) This grape is fine. Its best feature is the texture with lovely crunch and juice, but the flavor is boring and bland compared to so many other grapes. |
 | Ruby (Seedless) Ruby grape has large clusters of small to medium seedless berries, red to reddish black in color. Delicious, sweet dessert like fruit. Late midseason ripening. Requires long, warm growing season. Prefers valleys and hillsides. Bold textured deep green foliage is attractive and provides much needed shade when grown in the landscape. Ideal cover for arbor or train or over a gateway. Use vertical trellis for greater fruit production and more even sunlight. |
 | Summer Muscat (Seedless) The Muscat grape is grown for table grapes, raisins and wine. It is one of the oldest cultivated grapes and may well be ancestor of many other known varietals. Summer Muscat is a seedless raisin grape. It has a sweet, strong muscat flavor. |
 | Summer Royal (Seedless) The Summer Royal Seedless Grape Vine was introduced recently by the USDA and the black grape fruit matures at the end of August, when no other American-grown black seedless grape fruit is available in the grocery store. The delicious grape fruit produced from the Summer Royal Seedless Grape Vine has a strong Muscat flavor that is sweet, large, firm and ideal as table grape. |
 | Thompson (Seedless) Thompson's Seedless Grape Vine has made it possible to produce high quality, flavorful, seedless grape fruit, commonly called 'dessert grapes.' It is acclaimed to be the most popular seedless grape in the country. Be aware, this grape needs warm nights and does not produce well in the Livermore-Amador Valley. |
GRAPE - WINE GRAPES | |
 | Barbera Barbera is a red wine grape that is most used in Italy. It has some of the flavor characteristics you would find in a Cabernet Sauvignon but with higher acid levels. The higher acid levels make it an especially good match for full flavored foods with tomato sauces involved. Other characteristics of wines from this variety include light tannin levels, deep garnet colors and medium to full body. |
 | Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon is the premier red wine grape in the world. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant grape in the Bordeaux region of France and has spread to every other major growing region. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape produces distinctive wines that are tannic and can have long aging potential |
 | Champagne (Black Corinth) An ancient grape, probably of Greek origin. Black Corinth has the smallest berries of all seedless grapes and must be sprayed with hormone, or have the vine girdled for the berries to set evenly and have any size to them at all. The name "Champagne Grape" comes from a pictorial in Sunset magazine. Written by Allan Corrin, a produce dealer whose company grows most of the Black Corinth sold in stores in the U.S., it showed a frosted bunch of Black Corinth with a glass of champagne. |
 | Chardonnay The Chardonnay grape is green-skinned and is believed to have originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown all over the world wherever wine is produced. Chardonnay wine flavors have been described as citrus and melon and are made with and without barrel aging. Chardonnay is a versatile grape producing a soft, fruity wine without oak aging and aromas of smoke, vanilla, and caramel with barrel aging. |
 | Merlot The Merlot grape is a close cousin to Cabernet Sauvignon in many respects. It is lower in tannins and makes wines that mature faster and are softer in texture. Merlot is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in order to soften the blend. At its best, Merlot makes a wine that is dry, rich in flavor and smooth as it finishes in your throat. Merlot usually has ripe berry components in the bouquet. Its wines tend to be soft, fruity and smooth in texture. |
 | Pinot Noir Pinot Noir is one of the more difficult grapes to grow and make into fine wine. It is also one of the very best when it is done properly. It has very specific requirements for its growing conditions. It needs the warm days and cool nights similar to what we have in the Livermore/Amador Valley. If Pinot Noir receives too little heat in the growing season, its wines are thin and pale. If the growing season is too warm, the wines have an overripe, cooked flavor. |
 | Sauvignon Blanc The Sauvignon Blanc grape produces wines of distinction in most of the areas where it is grown. It can tolerate greater heat than many varieties. Sauvignon Blancs are higher in acid and often exhibit 'melon' in the nose and tastes. If grown in too cool a climate, it can develop an herbal ('grassy') character in its aromas. Sauvignon Blanc produces large crops and is a low cost variety. Sauvignon Blanc is especially good when served with seafood. |
 | Shiraz (Syrah) This grape is known as Syrah in France and Shiraz in Australia. In the United States, it can appear under either name depending on the style of the winery. The grape is thought to be named for a city in Persia (Shiraz) where it probably originated. It produces full rich wines of intense color and flavor. In warmer climates like Livermore/Amador Valley, the grape produces wines that are sweeter and riper tasting. In cooler climates like the Rhone valley of France, it often has more pepper and spice aromas and flavors. Syrah usually becomes drinkable at an early age and most are produced for consumption within a year after release (2rd year from harvest). |
 | Zinfandel Zinfandel is a grape variety that has been important almost exclusively in California. The Zinfandel grape can make solid red wines with good fruit and structure. It was a popular variety with home winemakers during the American prohibition era because its thick skins allowed the grapes to ship without damage. It later (late 1970's and early 1980's) became popular for the wines produced from it with forward fruit flavors and spicy overtones. White Zinfandel is a Zinfandel rose that is left slightly sweet with an acid balance. Recent DNA tests indicate that Zinfandel is actually the same as the Primitivo grape found in Italy. |
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Gold Rush
As a compost, fir bark holds up well over time. The addition of chicken manure provides a needed boost of nitrogen.
Mix Gold Rush with existing soil at a ratio of 50/50. to view our paper pulp pot planting instructions; click here.
Alden Lane Nursery - 981 Alden Lane - Livermore, CA 94550 - (925) 447-0280 ph - (925) 443-8512 fax
8:30 am - 6:00 pm Daily
www.aldenlane.com - Contact Alden Lane
8:30 am - 6:00 pm Daily
www.aldenlane.com - Contact Alden Lane
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981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA 94550 | (925) 447-0280 | www.aldenlane.com