Norton
Also known as: Cynthiana
Heritage Mid-Atlantic red with outstanding disease resistance. Makes a serious dry red; distinctive aestivalis character.
Across the consideration criteria
What it makes
Aromatic family
Tasting notes
How it grows
- Cold hardiness
- -15°F
- Ripening
- Late-season
- Vigor
- High
- Disease tolerance
- Very high
- Drainage need
- Well
- Soil pH
- 5.5–6.8
- Graft requirement
- Own Root Viable
- US availability
- Widely Available
Considerations
Primary buds start to die near -15°F. Handles a normal cold-climate winter, but a hard freeze is a risk.
Needs roughly 3050 growing degree-days to ripen, a late-season variety (Winkler III). Wants a long, warm season; marginal in cool regions.
Foliar-disease pressure is moderate for this variety, a regular spray program in a humid climate. Regular cover sprays through the wet months.
Tolerant to Pierce's disease. Only a threat in the warm, humid South and parts of California; cold-winter regions cure it naturally.
High vigor. Wants leaner ground and active canopy management, or fruit hides in shade.
High heat tolerance. Holds up to a hot, sunny season.
Moderate water demand. Average moisture needs for a wine grape.
Prefers soil pH between 5.5 and 6.8. 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 growChambourcin
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Chancellor
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Crimson Cabernet
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Errante Noir
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Noiret
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Corot Noir
Same heat band (high) · Same Winkler band (III)
Climate-adapted alternatives
more resilient picksMaréchal Foch
Better downy mildew resistance · Tolerates 15°F more winter cold
Léon Millot
Tolerates 15°F more winter cold · Same role (dry table)
Baco Noir
Better downy mildew resistance · Tolerates 5°F more winter cold
Regent
Better downy mildew resistance · Same role (dry table)
Champanel
Better downy mildew resistance · Same role (dry table)
Conquistador
Better downy mildew resistance · Same role (dry table)
Could Norton grow on your land?
See how Norton scores against your specific property, with local precedent, climate, and the tradeoffs for your ground.
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