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Vitis vinifera
Heavily producing vine of pinkish-purple exceptionally sweet-flavoured tables grape of medium size. Mid-late season (late March/early April for us in Hawke’s Bay). Said to be good for coastal areas, indeed our original plants are special to us as they came from cuttings from Aaron’s parents’ plant at their house on the Mahia Peninsular.
Grapes have been cultivated by humans for over 8000 years. The berries grow on deciduous vines and in the right climate, are easy care and can be managed in many different ways. Everyone will be familiar with the wire structures and pruning regime of vineyard grapes which are highly ‘tamed’. Here we use grapes predominantly for shade, having several different varieties growing on our wrap-around verandah, and we just let them ramble. Sometimes we give them a hard prune in winter, sometimes we don’t. We always get great grapes. That’s because grapes always grow on new season’s growth, not on old wood.
Grapes love full sun and well drained soil. Ours get plenty of sun but we’re on a sandy clay soil and they are planted directly around the house into horrible sub soil, and in the rain shadow of the house. They still don’t care! What they hate more is humidity so if you are in a more humid part of the country try to plant them in a spot with plenty of air movement.
Grapes are high in nutrients such as Vitamins B and K, and copper, as well as antioxidants such as resveratrol which may have anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, and anticancer properties. The leaves are edible and can be used fresh when young, or preserved by brining. They can be used to make dishes such as dolmades – rolled leaves stuffed with a herby rice mixture, common in the Mediterranean, Caucasus, Balkans, and Middle East. The leaves can also be fed to stock.
Iona grapes are not seedless (we don’t have any seedless varieties available at present sorry). Note that grapes (fresh or dried) are toxic to dogs.
Certified organic plant in 11cm pot
Photos – Kahikatea Farm. First photo shows Iona grapes on the vine, second photo shows them harvested alongside Italia grapes.
N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.
Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.
Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.
Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.
Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.
We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.
Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.
