Viticulture in Ireland: 2025

To start researching the white grape propagated from the Ross House vine, I asked ChatGPT these questions. I am now fairly certain that the variety of grape we propagated from Ross House is Buckland Sweetwater. And it took 5 minutes or less.

What were popular white grape varieties that were grown in glass houses in Ireland in the 1800s?

In the 1800s, particularly during the Victorian era, glasshouses (or greenhouses) became increasingly popular among the wealthier classes in Ireland and Britain for cultivating exotic fruits and grapes that wouldn’t typically thrive in the cool, damp climate. While black (red/purple) varieties were often favored, several white grape varieties were also cultivated under glass.

Here are some popular white grape varieties grown in Irish (and British) glasshouses in the 1800s:

🍇 1. Muscat of Alexandria

One of the most prized white grape varieties in Victorian glasshouses.
Known for its rich, sweet flavor and strong muscat aroma.
Required warmth and careful handling—ideal for the controlled conditions of a glasshouse.

🍇 2. Chasselas

Particularly Chasselas de Fontainebleau, a white grape that was popular in glasshouse culture.
Early-ripening and sweet, with a mild flavor.
Native to Switzerland but well adopted in British and Irish estates.

🍇 3. White Frontignan (a Muscat variety)

Also known as Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.
Highly aromatic and used both for dessert and occasionally for wine.
Preferred for its small berries and intense flavor.

🍇 4. Syrian (or White Syrian)

This variety was grown under glass primarily for its novelty and sweetness.
It was one of many "exotic" grapes introduced to wealthy estate gardens.

🍇 5. Buckland Sweetwater

A white grape bred in the UK in the early 1800s.
A hybrid likely involving Chasselas.
Known for its early ripening and pleasant taste, good for eating fresh.

🍇 6. Royal Muscadine

Sometimes grown under glass as a table grape.
Sweet and delicate, it was suited for the refined palates of the era.

These varieties were typically grown in walled kitchen gardens with dedicated vinery houses—often attached to or near large estates. The rise of horticultural excellence in Victorian times turned grape-growing into both a scientific pursuit and a symbol of status.

If you're curious about how they managed the glasshouses or which estates were known for this kind of cultivation in Ireland specifically, I can dig deeper into that too!

Which estates in the west of Ireland were known for managing vines in glass houses?

In the 1800s, several estates in the west of Ireland were renowned for their glasshouses, where they cultivated a variety of fruits, including grapes. Here are some notable examples:

🍇 Kylemore Abbey, Connemara (County Galway)

Constructed in the late 19th century, Kylemore Abbey's Victorian Walled Garden was among the most advanced of its time. Spanning approximately six acres, the garden featured 21 heated glasshouses designed by Cranstons of Birmingham. These included specialized houses for grapes (vineries), peaches, bananas, figs, melons, and tropical plants. The estate employed around 40 gardeners, and its horticultural sophistication was often compared to that of Kew Gardens in London. Dreamstime+2Irish Historic Houses+2Alamy+2Wikipedia+3rondougherty.com+3Irish Historic Houses+3

🍇 Muckross House & Gardens, Killarney (County Kerry)

The Herbert family, original owners of Muckross House, established Victorian glasshouses on the estate. By 1918, these structures were producing grapes, peaches, and figs. While some glasshouses were reconstructed in the early 20th century by the Bourn Vincent family, they incorporated elements of the original Victorian designs. joc-architects.ie+2The Irish Aesthete+2rondougherty.com+2

🍇 Kenmare Estate, Killarney (County Kerry)

Adjacent to Muckross, the Kenmare Estate, owned by the Browne family, was active in greenhouse cultivation during the 1860s and 1870s. Reports from that era mention the production of greenhouse plants, peaches, nectarines, melons, and grapes. The estate featured a curvilinear glasshouse, indicative of the period's architectural style. Gardenhistorygirl+2The Irish Aesthete+2agefotostock.com+2

These estates exemplify the Victorian era's enthusiasm for horticulture in Ireland, showcasing the use of glasshouses to cultivate a diverse array of fruits and plants, including white grape varieties.

If you're interested in more detailed information about these estates or others in Ireland, feel free to ask!

Which white grape varieties did they grow at Kylemore Abbey?

At Kylemore Abbey's Victorian Walled Garden, the restored Vinery cultivates several heritage grape varieties. Among these is 'Grizzley Frontignan', a white Muscat grape known for its aromatic qualities and ancient origins. This variety is believed to have originated in ancient Greece and was later cultivated in France and Italy during Roman times. The Vinery also grows 'Buckland Sweetwater', a white grape bred in the UK in the early 1800s, and 'Black Hamburgh', a black grape variety. kylemoreabbey.com

Historically, the estate featured four vineyard glasshouses dedicated to Muscat grape cultivation, indicating the significance of white grape varieties in its horticultural practices. Latest news & breaking headlines

Today, the Vinery continues to preserve these heritage grape varieties, maintaining the estate's rich horticultural legacy.

What does the Buckland Sweetwater grape leaf and grapes look like?

The 'Buckland Sweetwater' grape is a heritage white table grape variety, historically cultivated in glasshouses like those at Kylemore Abbey. It is renowned for its early ripening and sweet flavor.

🍇 Grape Appearance

Color: The grapes are pale green, maturing to a soft amber hue as they ripen.
Shape: They are typically round to slightly oval and form in medium-sized, compact clusters.
Texture: The skin is thin, and the flesh is juicy, making them ideal as dessert grapes.

🍃 Leaf Characteristics

Shape: The leaves are medium to large, with a classic lobed shape common to Vitis vinifera.
Color: They are deep green during the growing season, turning to shades of yellow and bronze in autumn.
Texture: The leaves have a slightly serrated edge and a textured surface.

These characteristics made 'Buckland Sweetwater' a favored variety in Victorian-era glasshouse cultivation, valued for both its aesthetic appeal and delightful taste.

I was surprised to see inflorescence on the Jenny grape in the polytunnel. Its peduncle appears to be a multiparous cyme. The vine didn't do much last year, but its growth is quite vigorous this year. It's very encouraging. There are several bunches already. Apparently, it's a variety that makes especially good jelly.

Several of the Alabarino vines we took out of the vineyard and planted in pots in the polytunnel are leafing. They had very small roots, so I hope they thrive in the polytunnel.

The Ross House delicious white eating grape, which Alex propagated, is doing very well in the polytunnel. It has a distinctive leaf shape and I hope we can trace its variety.

Curiously, the asparagus which we moved into the polytunnel has produced shoots several times already and one is now flowering. Planted outide we got nothing for years.

Our weather continues with blue sky, sunshine, no wind and no rain. The 11th of April and our rain total is 0.0 mm for the month. Our first break will be tomorrow afternoon when we will see clouds and may get a few sprinkles, and Sunday when we will get rain and wind most of the day.