The Aurore grape (Vitis ‘Aurore’ or Seibel 5279) is a high-yielding, French-American hybrid vine developed to combine the quality of European grapes with the resilience of native American species. Its impressive cold hardiness allows it to survive temperatures down to approximately -20°F, making it a preferred choice for cooler climates with shorter growing seasons. Aurore is highly vigorous and one of the earliest ripening grapes, typically ready for harvest in late August or early September.
Site Selection and Initial Planting
Selecting the proper location is the first step in establishing a healthy Aurore vine, which requires a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Planting in full sun ensures the energy necessary for fruit production and helps minimize fungal diseases by keeping the foliage dry. The vine thrives in deep, well-drained soil, as it cannot tolerate standing water or “wet feet,” which can lead to root rot.
French-American hybrids perform best in soil with a slightly acidic pH, ideally ranging between 5.5 and 6.5. Conducting a soil test before planting is recommended to determine if amendments are needed to adjust the pH or improve drainage. Bare-root vines should be planted in the early spring while they are still dormant and before bud break occurs.
To prepare the site, dig a planting hole roughly 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide to accommodate the root system fully. Before placing the vine, trim any broken or excessively long roots and soak them in water for a few hours. Position the vine so the root crown sits level with the surrounding soil surface, then backfill and water thoroughly to settle the soil.
Routine Maintenance: Watering, Fertilizing, and Support
During the first year after planting, maintain a consistent, deep watering schedule to encourage the development of an extensive, drought-tolerant root system. Mature vines require less frequent watering, but irrigation should penetrate deeply into the soil. As the fruit begins to ripen—a stage known as veraison—the water supply must be significantly reduced.
Cutting back on water two to four weeks before the anticipated harvest helps concentrate sugars in the fruit and prevents cracking or bunch rot. Since Aurore is vigorous, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, as it encourages shoot growth at the expense of fruit production. For mature vines, annual nitrogen application may be reduced or omitted, but soil testing confirms the need for balanced nutrients like potassium and phosphorus.
A structural support system is necessary almost immediately because Aurore is a trailing and highly productive vine. Trellising keeps the fruit and foliage off the ground, promoting good air circulation and sunlight exposure. Common methods, such as the Top Wire Cordon system, are effective for training this variety and managing its vigor.
The Importance of Pruning Aurore Grapes
Pruning is the most important task for managing Aurore grapes, as it directly determines the quality and quantity of the season’s harvest. Since fruit is produced on shoots that grow from buds on one-year-old wood, the primary goal is to remove old, unproductive wood and select the best canes to bear fruit. Pruning should be performed in the late winter or very early spring while the vine is completely dormant, before sap begins to flow.
Aurore grapes are best suited for the cane pruning technique, which involves removing nearly all the previous season’s growth. This method is preferred because hybrid varieties often have low fruitfulness in the buds closest to the cane base. The pruner selects two to four healthy, pencil-thick canes from the previous year, which are then tied horizontally to the trellis wire.
These chosen fruiting canes should be cut back to leave between 8 and 15 buds each, which will sprout the fruit-bearing shoots. Simultaneously, two “renewal spurs” are left near the base of each fruiting cane, cut back to only two buds. These spurs produce the vigorous canes that will be selected for the following season, ensuring a continuous cycle of renewal and high production.
Pest Prevention and Harvesting
Aurore’s high yield and tight clusters make it particularly susceptible to fungal diseases like Botrytis bunch rot, Black Rot, and Powdery Mildew. Prevention relies heavily on cultural practices that maintain a dry, open canopy, which includes strategic leaf removal around the fruit zone in mid-summer to improve air flow and sun exposure. Sanitation is also important, so promptly removing any infected leaves, shoots, or fruit debris from the vineyard site reduces the source of future infection.
Pests like the Japanese Beetle can also target the foliage, and managing their populations is critical to maintaining vine health. Because Aurore ripens early, typically in late August, it allows for harvest before many late-season pests and diseases become severe. Ripeness is determined by the fruit’s taste, the softening of the berries, and the development of a slight amber or pink tinge on the white grapes.
For those seeking to measure sugar content precisely, a refractometer can be used to check the Brix level, with samples ideally collected in the morning for the most consistent readings. When harvesting, use sharp shears to cut the entire cluster from the vine gently, taking care not to damage the fruit. Grapes do not continue to ripen once they are picked, so timing the harvest correctly is necessary to ensure optimal flavor.