Pennsylvania Vineyards Report 2025 Grape Ripening Trends

By Blake Jackson

The third season of Pennsylvania’s Post-Veraison Initiative for Pennsylvania (PVIP) has officially begun, marking the release of the first weekly grape ripening report for 2025.

This statewide program tracks grape maturation across key vineyard regions and provides updates on widely planted cultivars, based on industry feedback gathered through Cultivars in the Commonwealth.

Each week, PVIP share data on the ripening progress of select grape varieties, which may include Cabernet franc, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Vidal blanc. Because of the time needed for samples to be shipped, analyzed, and processed, the weekly reports reflect conditions from the prior week.

For this season, vineyard partners are contributing data from Chester, Erie, Fayette, Lehigh, and Snyder counties. The program acknowledges these growers for their continued collaboration and invites additional commercial vineyards in Pennsylvania to participate in future editions.

In grape ripening, maturity is typically associated with higher soluble sugars (Brix) and pH, alongside lower titratable acidity (TA). Current results show noticeable regional differences.

Cabernet franc grapes were most advanced in Fayette County, located in southwestern Pennsylvania near the West Virginia border, while the least mature fruit was found in Erie County, in the northwest near Ohio and New York. Vineyards in Chester and Snyder counties showed comparable Cabernet franc maturity levels.

Chambourcin, a later-ripening red hybrid, displayed lower pH and higher TA than Cabernet franc in the same vineyards.

Although ripening levels varied, Chambourcin maturity was generally similar in Chester, Fayette, and Snyder counties, with Snyder reporting the highest Brix, Chester the highest pH, and Fayette the lowest TA. Chambourcin grapes in Erie lagged behind in development.

Riesling showed similar Brix in Chester and Fayette, though Fayette’s grapes had lower TA and pH. As with the other cultivars, Erie Riesling remained least mature. Vidal blanc results reflected the same trend, with Snyder fruit showing greater maturity compared to Erie.

The complete report is available here: https://extension.psu.edu/2025-post-veraison-in-pennsylvania

Photo Credit: istock-jimfeng