Brianna Grapes

Brianna is a cold-hardy, early-ripening white grape that’s quickly become a favorite among northern growers, home winemakers, and fresh-fruit lovers. Known for its uniquely tropical aroma, soft texture, and versatile uses, Brianna is a delightful surprise on the vine — and in the glass.

At FCD Vineyard, we grow Brianna for its early harvest, family-friendly flavor, and winemaking potential. Whether you're sipping, snacking, or preserving, Brianna delivers.

🧬 Origins & Breeding

Brianna was developed by renowned grape breeder Elmer Swenson in Wisconsin in the 1980s and released in 2002 by the University of Minnesota. Swenson's goal: a grape hardy enough to survive northern winters, but flavorful enough to make a truly appealing white wine.

Parentage:

• A cross between ES 2-12-13 (a Swenson selection) × Kay Gray
  
  

• Cold hardy to -25°F (-32°C)
  
  

• One of the earliest white grapes to ripen in northern regions
  
  

Today, Brianna is grown throughout the Midwest, Great Plains, and even into Canada by growers who want something both hardy and highly aromatic.

🍷 Taste Profile & Wine Use

Brianna has a distinctive tropical and floral aroma unlike most cold-climate whites. Depending on ripeness and vinification, flavors may include:

• Pineapple
  
  

• Mango
  
  

• Honeydew melon
  
  

• Banana
  
  

• Citrus blossom
  
  

Some compare its nose to Muscat or lightly oaked Chardonnay. Its low to moderate acidity makes it approachable and easy to drink.

Style: Typically made into a light, off-dry or semi-sweet white wine, often with no oak to let the fruit character shine. It can also be blended with higher-acid grapes to round out the profile.

Alcohol potential: 10.5–12.5%
Best at: 18–22 Brix

🍇 In the Field

Brianna ripens early — often by mid to late August in southern Wisconsin — making it a perfect choice for shorter growing seasons.

• Clusters: Medium to large, tight
  
  

• Berries: Golden when ripe, soft skin, fragrant even on the vine
  
  

• Harvest window: Mid-late August
  
  

• Disease resistance: Good, but benefits from cluster thinning to prevent rot in wet years
  
  

Brianna vines are vigorous and productive, with good cold tolerance and a manageable growth habit for trellised rows.

🍽 Other Uses

Brianna’s tropical sweetness and aroma make it fantastic not only for wine but also for:

• Eating fresh (kids love them)
  
  

• Grape juice or fruit syrup
  
  

• Light jelly or jelly blends
  
  

• Freezing for snacking or wine chilling
  
  

These are U-Pick favorites for customers who want something snackable and low in acidity — especially for first-time vineyard visitors.

🌿 Why We Grow Brianna

FCD Vineyard chose Brianna for its unique flavor, reliable performance, and early-season charm. It thrives in our soil and climate, and it’s an accessible grape for all ages — both in taste and in spirit.

🧺 U-Pick Organic Brianna at FCD Vineyard

We invite you to try Brianna grapes during their peak in August! Their fruity fragrance and early ripening make them one of the most rewarding varieties to pick yourself.