Has anyone tried to grow their own vinifera grape vines? They would have to be on American rootstock.

We were given some merlot cuttings from a winery and attempted to just plant it in the ground, and of course they did not thrive I am not skilled enough to try grafting myself though.

So really my two choices are to plant American vines, or to figure out where to buy grafted European vines. We have no sun in our yard though so that's a completely different problem

Has anyone tried doing this in their yard?

I don't know what part of the country you call home, but the best source if information on growing just about any fruit is your local county agent. They are usually affilliated with the school of agriculture in your state, and are a great source of information.

I'm in Massachusetts - and I have never heard of a local county agent! I do have many wineries near me though, so I think I'll run down to one and talk with them about my task. I bet they would be my best resource for knowing how the grapes will grow around here, and luckily the wineries here are very friendly

Lisa, there are several nurseries that sell a variety of grafted vines that can grow in New England. The state universities of NY, Mass., and other places have resources. Here is one link http://www.newenglandwinegrapes.org/inde...1&Itemid=60
and
http://www.grapesandwine.cals.cornell.edu/
Cornell has been operating with some vineyards and nurseries in upstate NY for a long time. Unfortunately, some of the most interesting varieties are not commercially available, but you could contact Cornell and ask where they could be found.
If you have suitable land, you should be able to grow almost anything where you live, but some vines wouldn't make it through the winter in some years.

County agents: I think in the Northeast we have experimental agriculture stations. These are connected with local agriculatural colleges (like Univ. of CT). They are resources for local farmers and gardeners regarding pest control, and other such topics. The vineyards rely on their expertise, too.

Thank you Peter and Ann for your assistance!

I think part of the problem is our back yard is VERY tree shaded. We grew great tomatoes this year but only because we put them on pots on our back porch. That seems to be the only location that gets stellar sunshine. I'm not sure you can grow grape vines as "container plants".

I suppose it's worth a try, though!

So cut down the trees. There aren't many trees that would be as good to have as vines.

"I'm in Massachusetts - and I have never heard of a local county agent!"

Maybe you had no interest in agriculture in your youth. Massachusetts had a county extension service into the 80s - still does in Plymouth County. Now it is a statewide program under the auspices of UMass.

Vinifera grapes generally do poorly in Mid-Atlantic/New England vineyards. This is in vineyards designed for growing grapes and yielding commecial crops. In backyards which are unsuited to growing grapes, success will be commensurately less.

If your interest is in actually making wine, I suggest you buy grapes.

In Massachusetts there is an excellent resource, as you mention.

Sonia Schloemann publishes an email newsletter called "New England Grape Notes" on all kinds of topics from disease control to weather. She cites the information is collected by Arthur Tuttle, Dan Cooley, Hilary Sandler, Bill Coli and students from the University of Massachusetts and Richard Kiyomoto from the University of Connecticut.
"We also acknowledge the excellent resources of Michigan State University, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, and the University of Vermont Cold Climate Viticulture Program. See the links below for additional seasonal reports:

University of Vermont's Cold Climate Grape Growers' Newsletter
UConn Grape IPM Scouting Report

Support for this work comes from UMass Extension, the UMass Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension, USDA-CSREES.
FYI - check out the newly formed Massachusetts Farm Winery and Growers Association and New Hampshire Winery Association and the Vermont Grape and Wine Council. These associations are of, by and for you! Join today!!

For Massachusetts residents, check out the new Massachusetts "Ag Tag" license plate. Each purchase can yield $15 for the Massachusetts Farm Winery and Grower's Association through a check-off plus pooled funds available for various programs or competitive grants.

Newsletters are here:
http://www.newenglandwinegrapes.org/index.php/news-and-events/newsletter

p.s. CT has the CT Winery and Vineyard Assn too.

I didn't grow up in Massachusetts, so maybe that's it!

I love cab franc and several wineries near me grow that well, so I think that'll be my quest next year. Not a giant vineyard, just 3 or 4 vines.