What are some good grape varieties for Iowa?
Several varieties of grapes can be grown successfully in Iowa. The best cultivars to plant depend on where in Iowa you live, what you intend to use the grapes for (wine, fresh, etc.), and what color of fruit you want (red, white).
Below is a list of cultivars well-suited for Iowa sorted by use and color.
Not all varieties are reliably cold-hardy in all parts of the state. Varieites are denoted as well suited for "South" (the southern third of the state) "Central" (the middle third of the state), or "All" (hardy in all parts, including northern Iowa). Nearly all cultivars are susceptible to 2,4-D drift so grapes should always be planted in areas protected from herbicide drift.
* Key: S = small, M = Medium, L = Large, R = Red, W = White
AN = Anthracnose; DM = downy mildew; PM = powdery mildew; BR = black rot; BUN = bunch rot; PH= phomopsis; Cu = copper; S = sulfur