Grape Vine - Hogan

Hogan is a small to medium dark blue seeded grape with moderately thick skin that slips easily from the pulp. The flavour is sweet-tart, with acidity slightly dominant and a rich, aromatic profile reminiscent of Concord-type grapes. It is enjoyable fresh despite the seeds (which some people appreciate for their crunch) and may also be well suited for juice blends.

This early-ripening variety begins harvest around late August (Zone 4) and can be picked over several weeks. Flavour and sugar content improve if clusters remain on the vine about a week after first ripening.

The vine is very hardy and highly productive, capable of yielding over 8 kg per plant under good conditions. It is hardy to at least Zone 4 and may succeed in Zone 3 with snow cover. Like most grapes, bud break occurs relatively late in spring.

The variety was discovered on an abandoned farm in Sainte-Julienne and named in honour of Mr. Hogan, a travelling plant collector.

In colder regions (Zone 4a and below), some growers lay pruned vines on the ground in fall to allow snow insulation, though the vine is generally hardy without extra protection.