Grape (Vitis 'Ravat 51' VIGNOLES)

Overview

The Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES, commonly known as Grape, is a highly valued French-American hybrid vine prized particularly for its wine production capabilities. Gardeners should note that this specific Grape variety produces white wine grapes suitable for everything from dry to sweet dessert wines. As a vigorous woody vine, Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES requires significant dedicated care, including structural support, regular pruning, and vigilant pest management to ensure successful fruiting.

Distinctive features include panicles of fragrant, greenish flowers blooming slightly later than many other wine grapes, offering a measure of protection against late spring frosts. Following bloom, clusters of small green grapes mature mid-season. Beyond fruit production, the Grape offers considerable aesthetic value through its dense, large green foliage and attractive winter structure.

Successfully cultivating Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES rewards the gardener with both harvest potential and strong textural interest in the landscape. Due to its high maintenance requirements, new growers should be prepared for the commitment necessary to manage this productive vine in USDA zones 5 through 7.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Vitaceae
• Plant Type: Fruit
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-7
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 15-20 ft
  • Spread: 8-15 ft
• Bloom Time: May to June
• Bloom Description: Greenish
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: High

How to Grow

For optimal establishment, plant Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES in deep, loamy, well-drained soils. While the vine tolerates average garden conditions, excellent drainage is non-negotiable for vine health. Site your Grape in a location receiving full sun exposure and ensure it is protected from harsh winter winds, such as a south-facing slope, while being carefully situated away from frost pockets.

Water needs for this Grape are medium. Ensure consistent moisture, especially during fruit development, but never allow the soil to remain waterlogged. Due to the high demands of fruit production, feeding annually with a balanced fertilizer formulated for fruit trees or vines can be beneficial, applied according to professional recommendations.

Grape cultivation demands high maintenance, focusing heavily on structural support, regular spraying against common fungal issues, and consistent pruning. Pruning is essential, usually performed in late winter or early spring while the vine is dormant, to manage vigor and ensure maximum fruit set and quality for your Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES harvest.

Landscape Uses

While primarily cultivated for its edible fruit, the Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES offers substantial ornamental contributions throughout the year. The vine’s bold summer foliage creates effective green screens or shade structures when grown along fences, arbors, or pergolas. Its showy fruit clusters provide visual interest late in the season, while the shaggy, twisted trunks are striking features in the winter garden.

Consider using this vigorous Grape variety where you need vertical interest quickly. It clings beautifully to sturdy structures, offering texture and screening for utility areas or creating dramatic entryways over walkways. Though its main purpose is fruit, the presence of Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES can soften hardscape elements effectively.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Fragrant
• Insignificant

Fruit Qualities

• Showy
• Edible

Noteworthy Characteristics

Vitis is a genus of about 65 species of woody vines, and this particular hybrid, ‘Ravat 51’, is extensively grown for white wine production, yielding wines ranging from dry to sweet dessert styles. A benefit of this specific Grape is that its moderately late bloom time helps protect the flowers from potential late spring frost damage. The vine features large, shallowly-three-lobed green foliage, and its flowers attract beneficial bees.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

Growing Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES is considered high maintenance because grapes are highly susceptible to numerous diseases, particularly if planted in humid summer environments. Common fungal issues include black rot, downy and powdery mildew, anthracnose, and botrytis bunch rot. Regular fungicide treatments are often necessary preventive measures.

Insect management also requires vigilance, with pests like leafhoppers, grape berry moths, and Japanese beetles potentially damaging leaves and fruit clusters. Management often involves targeted, regular pesticide applications throughout the growing season.

Vertebrate pests pose a significant threat to yields; birds are often the most destructive, consuming ripe fruit rapidly. While deer may browse on young leaves and shoots, birds require robust netting strategies as the fruit ripens to secure a harvest from your Grape vines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Grape suitable for?

Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES is suitable for USDA Zones 5 through 7.

How large does Grape grow?

This vigorous vine typically reaches a mature height between 15 and 20 feet, with a spread ranging from 8 to 15 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Grape need?

The Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES requires full sun exposure to thrive and produce abundant fruit.

When does Grape bloom?

The Grape blooms between May and June, producing greenish flowers.

Conclusion

The Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES is a rewarding, albeit challenging, plant choice for dedicated home fruit growers, offering superior white wine grapes alongside strong screening potential. While its needs are high—especially concerning pruning and disease control—the payoff in ornamental structure and seasonal harvest makes this Grape worthwhile. Before planting, confirm that your site offers full sun and excellent drainage, and be ready to commit to a rigorous annual care schedule.

Wildlife Benefits

The flowers of Vitis ‘Ravat 51’ VIGNOLES are attractive to bees, providing an early season nectar source when they bloom in late spring/early summer. While the ripe fruit is a target for birds and mammals, offering some early season sustenance to local wildlife can be a positive aspect for nature-focused gardeners.

Pruning and Training Strategy

Since this is a fruit-bearing woody vine, aggressive structural training is mandatory from year one to establish strong cordons or canes. Pruning should focus heavily on removing old, unproductive wood to maximize sunlight penetration and airflow, which inherently reduces the risk of fungal diseases common to the Grape. Always prune while dormant, wearing protective gloves due to the wood’s sometimes sharp nature.