General description: The Iza Zaliwska variety is a cross between the Vitis labrusca and Vitis vinifera species. A seedling of this variety was found by prof. Zaliwski just after WWII in Puławy, Poland. It is most likely a Polish mutation of the Seneca variety. It’s one of the earliest grapevines suited for the temperate Polish climate. Due to it ripening early (grapes accumulate quite a lot of sugar before fully ripe), and its high disease and frost resistance, it is an appealing variety for amateur gardeners throughout the country.

Fruit: Iza Zaliwska’s grape clusters are loosely set, medium-sized and conical in shape. Fruit are spherical with light yellow skin. Their greenish-white flesh is moderately juicy and easily separates from the skin. Their taste is usually described as sweet.

Ripening: This is an exceptionally early-fruiting variety – grapes are usually fully ripe in mid-August.

Leaves: The Iza Zaliwska vine has large, five-lobed, dark green leaves.

Cultivation requirements: This grapevine requires a sunny and warm location. It prefers light, well-drained soil, and doesn’t like heavy, wet substrates. It can be cultivated throughout temperate climes, even in areas with a climate unfavourable for other grape varieties. Seedlings should be planted every 1-1.5 meters, 10-15 cm deeper than in the pot they came in. Very small seedlings should be planted in a shallow hole and only covered wholly with soil in autumn. This significantly increases the frost resistance of grapevines and increases the efficiency of watering freshly planted vines.

Care: To build a powerful root system, grapevines need a lot of water. Caring for a newly planted seedling is basically limited to systematic watering. It is especially important to pay attention to watering in early summer and as the grapes ripen. Each young vine requires up to three buckets of water per watering.

Pruning: In the first year after planting, it’s recommended to keep only one to three stems. In the following years, trimming depends on how the vine is to be shaped. Thinning out, in order to obtain high quality fruit, is advised. This grapevine thickens fast and may require careful pruning in summer as it produces many fresh shoots in the warmer months. Generally, stems should be pruned to a moderate length and care should be taken whilst selecting which stems and shoots are to be cut, to leave well-fruiting ones on the plant. It is best to leave pruning until late autumn and winter (well before the beginning of vegetation), although, as mentioned, trimming in summer helps control expansion and should be done after new shoots are partially lignified.

Props: The Iza Zaliwska grapevine is perfect for growing on all kinds of fences, pergolas and arbours, trellises and other garden support structures.

Overwintering: This variety withstands temperature drops of down to -25°C. Protecting young seedlings for the winter (for e.g., by using agrotextiles) is recommended. At the beginning of November, cover young seedlings by piling a mound of soil with peat about 30 cm in height over the plants. This not only insulates them from the cold, but also shields them against flooding during the thaw.

Origin: Puławy, Poland.