It might take decades for a grape variety to find its place and name. Take the case of one emerging from the Finger Lakes region: Aravelle (ar-uh-vell)—a hybrid grape variety that took more than 40 years to come to fruition.
A crossing of Cayuga White and Riesling grapes, Aravelle (formerly known as NY 81) is the brainchild of well-respected and revered grape breeder Dr. Bruce Reisch. A Cornell graduate, Reisch took a wine appreciation course during his undergraduate years but knew nothing about grapes or how they grew. He did, however, study plant genetics and upon receiving his doctorate was open to working with any crop.
Riesch landed a job at his alma mater and, during the course of his 40-plus year tenure, was able to produce 14 new grape varieties in the Cornell AgriTech program. Aravelle was the final grape variety released right before he retired in 2023.
But why did it take so long?
“When a grower plants a new variety, it’s not unusual for it to take decades to breed,” Reisch says. “You can get hundreds of seedlings from one cross, so there needs to be years of data.”
When Dr. Reisch planted NY 81 in 1981, he was simply thrilled to launch something new. “Grape breeding is exciting because you’re a unique person in the right time and place to see grapes that have never been seen before—a grape pioneer!” he explains excitedly. “Each vine is brand new, and because you can get hundreds of
This Article was originally published on Wine Enthusiast
