Grape Vine - Somerset

Somerset is an exceptionally sweet table grape with a rich, delightful flavor—often noted for subtle strawberry hints—and makes excellent juice. Berries ripen from pink in late August to dark red by mid-September, reaching about 19.5–20 Brix at full maturity.

Individual grapes are small (about 1.5–2 g) but form large, compact clusters averaging 150 g. The skin is thin and adherent. Though considered seedless, the fruit may contain tiny, soft seeds that are barely noticeable when eaten.

The vine is disease-resistant, moderately vigorous, and very productive, with excellent cold hardiness to about −35 °C. It has a prostrate growth habit and requires support for proper climbing. Bud break is naturally late in spring.

Developed in Wisconsin by grape breeder Elmer Swenson, Somerset is a cross of ES 5-3-64 × Petit Jewel, with Thompson Seedless in its lineage.

In colder regions (Zone 4a and below), some growers choose to lay pruned vines on the ground in fall so they are insulated by snow over winter, though the variety is generally hardy without extra protection.