Updated: August 17, 2021
By Joseph Fiola, Ph.D.

Recommended Wine Grape Varieties for Maryland

RED VINIFERA

VARIETY RIPENING VIGOR¹ YIELD² MARYLAND ZONES³
Barbera Mid to Late M-V 3 to 4 East, South, & West
Cabernet Franc Mid to Late M-V 2 to 4 East, South, & West
Lemberger (Blau) Early to Mid M-V 0 to 3 East but West (preferable)
Malbec Early M-V 1 to 3 East, South, & West (best sites only)
Merlot Mid M-V 2 to 4 East, South, & West (best sites only)
Petit Verdot Mid to Late M-V 2 to 4 East, South, & West
Sangiovese Mid to Late M-V 3 to 4 East, South, & West
Souzao Early M-V 1 to 3 East, South, & West
Teroldego Mid to Late V 3 to 4 East, South, & West

¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones

WHITE VINIFERA

VARIETY RIPENING VIGOR¹ YIELD² MARYLAND ZONES³
Albarino Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West
Chardonnay Early to Mid V 2 to 3 East, South, & West
Colombard Mid to Late V 3 to 8 East, South, & West
Gruner Veltliner Early to Mid M-V 1 to 4 East, South, & West
Muscat Blanc Early M-V 2 to 4 East, South, & West
Petit Manseng Late M-V 3 to 4 East & South Only
Pinot Blanc Early to Mid M-V 2 to 4 East, South, & West
Pinot Gris/Grigio Early M-V 2 to 4 East, South, & West
Roussanne Mid M-V 2 to 4 East, South, & West
Sauvignon Blanc Early V 3 to 6 East, South, & West

¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones

RED HYBRID

VARIETY RIPENING VIGOR¹ YIELD² MARYLAND ZONES³
Chambourcin Late M-V 3 to 8 East, South, & West

¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones

WHITE HYBRID

VARIETY RIPENING VIGOR¹ YIELD² MARYLAND ZONES³
Cayuga White Early M 4 to 6 East, South, & West
Chardonel  Mid M-V 3 to 4 East, South, & West
Seyval Blanc  Mid M-V 4 to 6 East, South, & West
SK77 5-3 Early M 3 to 4 East, South, & West
Traminette  Mid-Late M-V 4 to 6 East, South, & West
Valvin Muscat  Mid M-V 3 to 4 West Only
Vidal Blanc  Mid-late V 4 to 6 East, South, & West
Vignoles  Early-Mid M-V 2 to 3 East but West (preferable)

¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones

SUPER HARDY HYBRIDS⁴

VARIETY RIPENING VIGOR¹ YIELD² MARYLAND ZONES³
Marquette (red)  Very Early V 2 to 4 West Mountains Only

¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones
⁴SUPER HARDY HYBRIDS: These varieties have been developed to tolerate temperatures down to -30F

TRIAL WINE GRAPE CULTIVARS FOR REGIONS IN MARYLAND

VARIETY RIPENING VIGOR¹ YIELD² MARYLAND ZONES³ TYPE
Chelois Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West Red Hybrid
Gamaret Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West Red vinifera
Gamay Noir Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West Red vinifera
La Crescent (white)  Mid V 2 to 4 West Mountains Only White SH Hybrid
Montepulciano Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West Red vinifera
PicPol Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West White vinifera
Tannat Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West Red vinifera
Tempranillo Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West Red vinifera
Verdejo Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West White vinifera
Verdelho Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West White vinifera
Vermentino Mid M 2 to 4 East, South, & West White vinifera

¹VIGOR: L=low - M=medium - V=vigorous
²YIELD: tons per acre
³MARYLAND ZONES: The Route 95 corridor separates the East/West zones

Other Important Resources

Organizations/University Resources

Explore Starting a Vineyard

New Grape Grower Workshop
Vineyard Site Selection
Soil Testing
Rootstock Selection for Grapevines
Vineyard Training Systems
Grape Pest & Weed Management
Grape Publications and Resources
Table Grapes
General Viticulture