Cultivar · Grape cultivar
Concord
Vitis labrusca
Also known as: Concord grape
Concord is an American grape derived from the native species Vitis labrusca, selected in Concord, Massachusetts, in the mid-19th century. It is a cold-hardy, slip-skin grape widely used for juice, jelly, and table use rather than fine wine.
Record
Cultivar / variety- Variety of
- Grape
- Botanical taxon
- Vitis labrusca
- Type
- Cultivar (clonal)
- Breeding method
- Selection from native Vitis labrusca seedlings
- Origin
- Concord, Massachusetts, United States
- Released
- 1854
- Breeder / institution
- Ephraim Wales Bull
- Registry status
- Historical
- Registries
- Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC) · Global · as of 2026-07-12Catalogued as a Vitis labrusca-based American grape variety, distinct from the Vitis vinifera wine grapes.
- USDA GRIN-Global / National Plant Germplasm System · United States / Global · as of 2026-07-12Germplasm accessions of the cultivar are maintained in the US National Plant Germplasm System.
- Adaptation
- Cold-hardy and disease-tolerant relative to Vitis vinifera, suited to humid, cold-winter climates of the northeastern and midwestern United States where many European grapes struggle.
- Intended use
- Grape juice, Jelly and preserves, Table grapes, Some sweet and Kosher wines
Registry listing or variety protection is jurisdiction- and date-specific and does not by itself indicate current commercial availability, universal cultivation approval, patent status, or a recommendation.
Concord is a blue-black American grape based on the native North American species Vitis labrusca, distinct from the European wine grape Vitis vinifera behind most wine and table-grape cultivars. It is best known for grape juice and jelly, with the characteristic "foxy", musky aroma typical of labrusca grapes.
The variety was selected by Ephraim Wales Bull in Concord, Massachusetts, from seedlings of wild native grapes, and it was introduced commercially in the mid-19th century. It is a cold-hardy, disease-tolerant, slip-skin grape (the skin separates easily from the pulp) suited to the humid, cold-winter climate of the northeastern and midwestern United States.
Origin and species
Concord was selected by Ephraim Wales Bull near Concord, Massachusetts, who raised seedlings from wild native grapes and chose a vine that ripened reliably in the short New England season. It was introduced to commerce in the mid-19th century and became one of the most important American grapes.
Growing characteristics
As a labrusca-based grape, Concord is notably cold-hardy and comparatively tolerant of the fungal diseases that affect many European grapes in humid climates. These traits made it well suited to the eastern United States, and it is grown commercially in states such as New York, Michigan, and Washington.
- Cold-hardy, suiting cold-winter continental climates
- More tolerant of humid-climate diseases than typical Vitis vinifera
- Slip-skin berries that separate easily from the pulp
- Ripens reliably in relatively short growing seasons
Uses
Concord is used above all for grape juice and for jelly and preserves, and it is sold as a table grape. Its distinctive labrusca character makes it less suited to dry table wine, though it is used for some sweet and Kosher wines.
Relationships
Evidence-backed connections in the knowledge graph.
Adapted to climate
Scope & limitations
Geographic scope: Originating in Massachusetts and grown mainly in the northeastern and midwestern United States and the Pacific Northwest, with limited cultivation elsewhere.
Climate context: Cold-hardy American grape suited to humid, cold-winter climates where Vitis vinifera is harder to grow.
- Concord is a Vitis labrusca-based cultivar, so its flavour and cultivation differ substantially from the Vitis vinifera wine and table grapes; comparisons should account for the different species.
- The introduction date is given approximately; sources place the selection and first commercial release in the early-to-mid 1850s.
- Registry record identifiers and deep links are omitted where they could not be independently verified.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]GRIN-Global / National Plant Germplasm System (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
Cited for: Cultivar/germplasm records and taxonomy for Vitis labrusca
- Type:
- Official registry
- Jurisdiction:
- United States / Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- [2]GBIF — Global Biodiversity Information Facility (opens in a new tab)High
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
Cited for: Taxonomic placement of Vitis labrusca
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- Moderate
Cited for: Historical background, origin, and varietal characterisation (secondary reference)
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12