Early-Ripening Cultivars

• Early-ripening cultivars begin ripening in late summer. The precise date will depend on your region and climate, but in the Central United States, harvest begins in mid-August. While table grapes often ripen early, only deChaunac, used for red wine, becomes ready this early.
  
  

Midseason Cultivars

• Midseason grapes ripen in early autumn, around mid-September, depending on the region. Midseason wine grapes include Concord, Chancellor and Steuben for red wines and Delaware, Niagara, Seyval blanc and Vignoles for white wines.
  
  

Late-Season Cultivars

• Late cultivars are ready for harvest in midautumn. Late-ripening wine grapes include Catawba and Vidal blanc for white wine and Cynthiana for red wine.
  
  

Considerations

• Wine grapes aren't harvested on any set date but when they reach peak flavor. When pH reaches 3.1 to 3.3 for white grapes or 3.3 to 3.4 for red grapes and sugar levels are high, wine grapes are ready for harvest.