Due to my focus on breeding at home, only a few crosses at Sweet Briar were completed.
Seeds of a female feeding shed Vitis cordifolia (FS-8) were produced in a cross with
Alden that should be very intersting. Crosses of the Ohio vernal pool Vitis riparia
with 3309 rootstock, Foch, and Oberlin 595 made quite a bit of seed. The Foxy Vixen cutting bloomed,
showing it is female, and the fruit is clearly of Vitis cordifolia form, yet the berries are
larger, as big as 1/2" in diameter, and foxy like the wild Vitis labrusca. A test cross of
Vitis cordifolia and Vitis labrusca at home should help further elucidate the origin
of the Foxy Vixen.
The 03-1 and 03-2 hybrids grew well at Chateau Z Vineyard and should bloom in 2006. Remaining Williams
Creek seedlings will be transplanted to the annex next winter, and the cultivated grape vineyard in the
community garden is slated for removal due to a lack of interest and poor location next to the woods east
of the garden. The Vitis vinifera pollen source vines will be taken to the Chateau Z Vineyard.