WinoSens: grapevine plants and advisory from Winnica Dolina Drwęcy

Solaris is an early, resistant variety, ideal for growing in Polish conditions. It gives white wines with an intense aroma: notes of citrus, gooseberry, apple and delicate flowers. It ripens very early, as soon as late August or early September. An excellent choice for hobbyists and professional winegrowers alike.

Souvignier Gris is a modern hybrid variety with very good resistance to disease and frost, and it does very well in Polish conditions. It gives white wines with a delicate pink tint, full of stone fruit, citrus and subtle herbal notes, often with a slightly mineral finish. It ripens moderately early, usually in September. A safe choice for winegrowers looking for a stable variety with great quality potential.

Johanniter is a well-regarded variety bred in Germany, combining disease resistance with high quality potential. It gives white wines with aromas of apple, pear, citrus and delicate floral notes, often compared to classic Riesling. It ripens in the first half of September. An ideal choice for vineyards looking for a stable variety with an elegant character.

Muscaris is an aromatic variety created by crossing Solaris and Muscat, notable for the exceptional intensity of its flavor. It gives white wines with floral, citrus and distinctly muscat notes, which also work very well in medium-sweet and sparkling wines. It ripens in the first half of September. A choice for winegrowers who value a distinctive, richly aromatic wine character.

Hibernal is a variety with high resistance to frost and disease, very well adapted to the Polish climate. It gives white wines with intense aromas of gooseberry, blackcurrant and citrus, often compared to wines in the style of Sauvignon Blanc. It ripens in the second half of September, and in cooler regions even in early October. A great choice for vineyards that want to produce fresh, aromatic wines with character.

Bianca is a Hungarian variety with very good resistance to frost and disease, valued for its reliability in harder climate conditions. It gives white wines with a fresh, light character: notes of apple, pear and delicate citrus, which also work well in medium-sweet wines. It ripens early, usually in early September. A variety recommended for amateur growers and professional vineyards alike.

Seyval Blanc is a well-regarded hybrid variety with very good resistance to frost and disease, grown for years in cooler regions of Europe and North America. It gives fresh, crisp white wines with notes of citrus, green apple and delicate minerality, which also work very well as a base for sparkling wines. It ripens early, usually in early September. A safe choice for vineyards looking for a stable, dependable variety.

Pinot Gris is a classic Vitis vinifera variety, prized around the world for its elegant character. It gives white wines with a fuller structure, with notes of pear, apple, peach and a light spiciness, often with a golden tint. In Polish conditions it ripens in the second half of September, and in cooler regions in early October. A choice for vineyards that want to produce harmonious, balanced wines that are versatile in style.

Pinot Blanc is an elegant Vitis vinifera variety, closely related to Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. It gives fresh, harmonious white wines with aromas of apple, pear, citrus and subtle floral notes, often with a delicate minerality. In Polish conditions it ripens in the second half of September, and in cooler regions in early October. A variety valued by vineyards that want to make light, elegant, versatile wines, both still and sparkling.

Riesling is one of the noblest grape varieties, prized around the world for the elegance and longevity of its wines. It gives white wines with fresh acidity and aromas of citrus, apple, peach and characteristic mineral notes. In Polish conditions it ripens late, usually at the end of September, and in cooler regions in early October. A variety for vineyards aiming at high-quality wines that develop beautifully with age.

Gewürztraminer is an aromatic premium variety, known for an intense bouquet of roses, lychee, warm spices and exotic fruit. It gives white wines with a rich character, often off-dry or medium-sweet, pairing excellently with Asian cuisine and blue cheeses. In Polish conditions it ripens late, usually at the turn of September and October. A variety that needs warm sites and careful care, but rewards you with an extraordinary intensity of aromas.

Chardonnay is one of the most recognizable and respected grape varieties in the world, producing wines in a huge range of styles, from fresh and citrusy to fuller and barrel-aged. In Poland it does well in warmer regions, especially as a base for sparkling wines. It ripens in the second half of September, and in cooler locations in early October. A variety that lets you make elegant, versatile wines, valued by winemakers and consumers alike.

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most recognizable grape varieties in the world, prized for its intense aroma and freshness. It gives white wines with distinct notes of gooseberry, blackcurrant, citrus and freshly cut grass, with a characteristic crisp acidity. In Polish conditions it ripens in the second half of September, and in cooler regions in early October. A variety that needs a good site, but rewards you with wines of an exceptionally distinctive, expressive profile.

Soreli is a resistant Italian variety bred in Udine (Friuli), valued for very good disease resistance and steady yields. It gives white wines with a fresh, fruity character and notes of apple, pear, delicate flowers and subtle minerality. In Polish conditions it ripens early, usually in early September. A variety recommended for vineyards looking for a dependable grape with great quality potential and low plant protection requirements.

Voltis is a modern French hybrid variety of the PIWI type, created for limited chemical protection and high resistance to fungal diseases. It gives light, crisp white wines with notes of citrus, green apple and delicate herbs, often with a subtly mineral character. In Polish conditions it ripens moderately early, usually in mid-September. A variety recommended for vineyards looking for a dependable grape for organic growing, with the potential for modern, fresh wines.

Floréal is a French variety of the PIWI type, bred for natural disease resistance and minimal chemical protection. It gives aromatic white wines with notes of citrus, exotic fruit and flowers, which keep their freshness and lightness. In Polish conditions it ripens early, usually in early September. An ideal variety for vineyards that rely on organic solutions and want to make modern wines with a clean, fruity profile.

Müller-Thurgau is a popular white variety of German origin, very well adapted to cooler climates, which is why it has been grown successfully in Poland for years. It is valued for early ripening, steady yields and modest growing requirements. It gives light, fresh, aromatic wines with notes of green apple, pear, citrus and delicate floral and muscat accents. In Polish conditions it ripens early, usually at the turn of August and September, which lowers the risk of autumn losses. A variety with good frost resistance and average disease susceptibility, recommended for beginner winegrowers and for professional vineyards looking for a dependable grape for fresh, easy-drinking wines.

Cabernet Blanc is a modern Swiss white variety of the PIWI type, bred in 1991 by Valentin Blattner for high resistance to fungal diseases and limited chemical protection. In Polish conditions it grows well on both warmer and cooler sites, giving steady yields and early ripening. It gives white wines with a fresh, fruity character, with notes of apple, pear, gooseberry and delicate floral and mineral accents. In Poland it ripens moderately early, usually in the first half of September, reaching a good balance of sugar and acidity. A variety with very good resistance to mildews and gray mold and good frost tolerance, recommended for vineyards looking for a white grape with a modern profile that is easy to grow and suited to organic wine production.

Pinot Noir is a classic French grape variety from Burgundy, prized for the high quality and elegant character of its wines. In Polish conditions it does best on warm, sunny sites sheltered from the wind. It gives red wines with light to medium color, with notes of cherry, raspberry and strawberry, and, at full ripeness, delicate spice and earthy notes. In Poland it ripens moderately early, most often in the second half of September, and in favorable seasons reaches a very good balance of sugar and acidity. A variety with moderate resistance to frost and disease, demanding careful growing and good airflow around the vines. Recommended for vineyards and enthusiasts who put quality and a classic wine style first and are ready to give the variety the attention it needs.

Zweigelt is an Austrian red variety that does very well in the Polish climate, valued for good productivity and relatively easy growing. It gives red wines with intense color and a fruity character, with distinct notes of sour cherry, sweet cherry and wild berries, often joined by a delicate spiciness. In Polish conditions it ripens moderately early, usually in the second half of September, reaching good ripeness even in cooler regions. A variety with better frost resistance than Pinot Noir and moderate disease susceptibility, recommended for vineyards looking for a dependable red grape with a distinct, modern profile and good quality potential.

Cabernet Cortis is a modern German variety of the PIWI type, bred for high resistance to fungal diseases and limited chemical protection. In Polish conditions it grows very well, combining good productivity with dependable ripening. It gives red wines with deep color and an intense character, with notes of blackcurrant, cherry, dark wild berries and delicate herbal and spicy accents. In Poland it ripens moderately early, usually in the second half of September, often reaching a high concentration of color and extract. A variety with very good resistance to mildews and gray mold and good frost tolerance, recommended for vineyards focused on red wines with a distinctive style and fewer protective treatments.

Leon Millot is a proven, early red variety of French origin, valued for years in cooler growing areas, including Poland. It ripens very early and crops very reliably, which makes it one of the safer varieties for difficult seasons. It gives red wines with intense color, with notes of sweet cherry, sour cherry, dark wild berries and a delicate spicy accent. In Polish conditions it ripens early, usually in late August or early September, which lowers the risk of autumn losses. A variety with good resistance to frost and fungal diseases, recommended for amateur and professional vineyards alike, especially where an early harvest and steady crop quality matter.

Gamay is a classic French red variety, best known from the Beaujolais region, and it adapts well to cooler climates, including the conditions in Poland. It is valued for its early ripening and the fruity character of its wines, which gives good quality even in a shorter growing season. It makes light to medium-bodied red wines with a lively color and aromas of raspberries, strawberries, sour cherries and delicate floral notes. In Polish conditions it ripens early, most often at the beginning of September, reaching a good balance of freshness and ripeness. A variety with moderate disease resistance and good cold tolerance, recommended for vineyards looking for a red grape with a fresh, approachable style and a short ripening time.

Saint Laurent is a well-regarded Central European red variety, especially popular in Austria and the Czech Republic, and it does well in Poland's climate. It ripens earlier than Pinot Noir and has a good ability to accumulate sugar, which makes it easier to reach proper ripeness in a cooler climate. It makes red wines with a deep color and an intense aroma, with notes of sour cherry, sweet cherry and plum, and delicate spicy accents. In Polish conditions it ripens moderately early, usually in the first half of September. A variety with moderate disease resistance and good frost tolerance, recommended for vineyards looking for a classic red grape with a distinct character and good quality potential.

Blaufrankisch is a traditional Central European red variety from Austria and Hungary, well suited to cooler climates, including the conditions in Poland. Valued for its steady yields and the distinct character of its wines, it makes medium to full-bodied red wines with a deep color and aromas of sweet cherries, blackberries, raspberries and subtle spicy and earthy notes. In Polish conditions it ripens moderately late, usually in the second half of September, reaching a good balance of sugar and acidity. A variety with good frost resistance and moderate disease susceptibility, recommended for vineyards that want a red grape with a distinct fruity profile and the potential to make elegant wines with character and good structure.