Vitis rotundifolia ‘Fry’ & ‘Dixie’

Status: Active
Location: Chesed Ranch Vineyard
Planted: 2026
Source: Ty Ty Nursery
Vine IDs: CR-GRP-001 (Fry), CR-GRP-002 (Dixie)

A Taste of the South

Long before seedless table grapes filled grocery store shelves, muscadines and scuppernongs were a staple throughout the Southeast.

For many Southerners, the flavor of a muscadine or scuppernong is tied directly to childhood memories, family gatherings, and late summer afternoons spent picking fruit from vines growing along fences and trellises.

At Chesed Ranch, we wanted to include a few fruits that were not only productive and well adapted to North Florida, but also deeply connected to the agricultural heritage of the region.

Fry and Dixie Scuppernongs fit that vision perfectly.

Both varieties are known for their large fruit, excellent flavor, and ability to thrive in the heat, humidity, and challenging growing conditions of the Southeast. Unlike many traditional grape varieties, muscadines are naturally adapted to Florida’s climate and generally require fewer inputs to remain productive and healthy.

Together they form the foundation of our vineyard project and represent one of the most regionally appropriate fruits we grow.

Quick Facts

Characteristic	Fry	Dixie
Type	Scuppernong Muscadine	Scuppernong Muscadine
Pollination	Female	Female
Fruit Color	Bronze	Bronze
Harvest Season	August–September	August–September
Growth Habit	Vigorous Vine	Vigorous Vine
Disease Resistance	Excellent	Excellent
Chill Requirement	Low	Low
Florida Adaptation	Excellent	Excellent

Why We Chose Fry & Dixie

When planning the orchard, we wanted to include crops that could reliably thrive in North Florida without constant intervention.

Muscadines have earned a reputation for being among the easiest and most productive fruit crops in the Southeast. Their natural resistance to many diseases that plague traditional grapes makes them particularly attractive for growers in humid climates.

Fry was selected for its reputation as one of the most popular bronze muscadines ever introduced. Its large fruit and excellent flavor have made it a favorite among home growers for decades.

Dixie was chosen as a companion variety to extend production, improve pollination opportunities within the vineyard, and provide additional fruit for fresh eating and future processing projects.

Together they represent both tradition and practicality.

Vineyard Information

Item	Details
Planting Date	2026
Trellis System	Dedicated Wire Trellis
Mulch Type	Arborist Mulch
Irrigation	Drip
Soil Type	Amended Clay-Sand Mix
Mycorrhizae Applied	Yes
Training System	Single Wire Trellis

Location in Orchard

📍 Vineyard Trellis

Unlike most fruit trees at Chesed Ranch, the muscadines are grown on a dedicated vineyard trellis system rather than within the main orchard rows.

Annual Growth Log

2026

Planting Date: June 2026

Observations

Bare-root vines received and planted.
Established on dedicated vineyard trellis.
Strong root development expected during establishment year.
Initial training focused on developing the primary trunk and cordon structure.

Photos

(Insert planting photos)

Weather & Climate Summary

Season Metrics

Metric	Value
Chill Hours	TBD
GDD	TBD
Rainfall	TBD
Last Freeze	TBD
Peak Summer Temp	TBD

Performance at Chesed Ranch

Strengths

Extremely well adapted to North Florida
Excellent disease resistance
Productive once established
Low chill requirement
Excellent fresh eating fruit
Strong regional agricultural heritage

Challenges

Requires annual pruning
Birds can become significant competitors during harvest
Requires trellis maintenance
Female varieties benefit from nearby pollinator vines

Overall Assessment

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Among the most climate-appropriate fruit crops planted at Chesed Ranch and a direct connection to the agricultural traditions of the American South.

Looking Forward

One of our long-term goals is to develop the vineyard into a productive source of fresh fruit for the family while also exploring opportunities for juice, jelly, preserves, and potentially dried fruit.

Unlike some of the more experimental crops planted at Chesed Ranch, muscadines and scuppernongs have been proving themselves in Florida for generations. While we enjoy pushing the limits with avocados and mangoes, it is comforting to know that a few plants in the orchard are already perfectly at home.

Scuppernong Grapes