Louise Swenson
Also known as: E.S. 4-8-33
Low vigor, delicate floral white; often the pollinizer partner for St. Pepin.
Across the consideration criteria
What it makes
Aromatic family
Tasting notes
How it grows
- Cold hardiness
- -33°F
- Ripening
- Early-season
- Vigor
- Low
- Disease tolerance
- Very high
- Drainage need
- Moderately Well
- Soil pH
- 6–7
- Graft requirement
- Graft Recommended
- US availability
- Widely Available
Considerations
Primary buds start to die near -33°F. Shrugs off hard continental winters.
Needs roughly 2350 growing degree-days to ripen, an early-season variety (Winkler I-II). Finishes early, well before a hard fall frost.
Foliar-disease pressure is moderate for this variety, a regular spray program in a humid climate. Regular cover sprays through the wet months.
Susceptible to Pierce's disease. Only a threat in the warm, humid South and parts of California; cold-winter regions cure it naturally.
Low vigor. Easier to balance; tolerates more fertile ground.
Low heat tolerance. Bakes and loses acid on hot sites; favors cooler ground.
High water demand. Wants steady moisture; struggles on droughty soils.
Prefers soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Outside the band, lime or sulfur brings it in range.
Phylloxera-tolerant: own-rooted vines are fine.
These are intrinsic to the grape. On a real property, Folia scores each against your site; here they're shown on their own.
Grows alike
similar to growBrianna
Same heat band (low) · Same Winkler band (I-II)
St. Pepin
Same heat band (low) · Same Winkler band (I-II)
Itasca
Same heat band (low) · Same Winkler band (I-II)
Petite Amie
Same heat band (low) · Same Winkler band (I-II)
La Crescent
Same heat band (low) · Same Winkler band (I-II)
Prairie Star
Same heat band (low) · Same Winkler band (I-II)
Climate-adapted alternatives
more resilient picksSeyval Blanc
Better anthracnose resistance · Higher heat tolerance in the same role
Cayuga White
Better powdery mildew resistance · Higher heat tolerance in the same role
Itasca
Better powdery mildew + anthracnose resistance (2 pathogen-steps improved) · Same role (dry table)
Cabernet Blanc
Better powdery mildew resistance · Higher heat tolerance in the same role
Sauvignac
Better powdery mildew resistance · Higher heat tolerance in the same role
La Crescent
Better anthracnose resistance · Tolerates 3°F more winter cold
Could Louise Swenson grow on your land?
See how Louise Swenson scores against your specific property, with local precedent, climate, and the tradeoffs for your ground.
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