Sugargate Muscadine Grapes

Muscadinia rotundifolia ‘Sugargate’

Characteristics

Culture

Sugargate Muscadine grapes come in black and red varities; it’s a female cultivar that must be planted within 50 feet of a self-fertile. Note that 1 self-fertile Muscadine will pollinate up to 3 female vines. Sugargate is one of the earliest ripening black varieties. It has excellent flavor with large fruit and edible skin. The Sugargate vine is very vigorous and disease resistant; fruit yield is 40-60 pounds.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Developed at Ison’s Nursery in Brooks, Georgia in 1974; patent protected #5831. Sugargate is a cross between the female variety Fry and the pollen parent variety S. 29-49. University of Georgia states that productivity is too inconsistent for its use as a commercial cultivar, and the stem scars tear too often. Although, it has potential as a home variety because of its large size, early harvest, and very sweet berry – one of the sweetest of the Muscadines.  

Problems

• Gulf Coast areas with sandy soil experience low yields.
• Inconsistent yields: tends to put on a lighter crop than normal every 3 years.
• As a cultivar of a native plant, it is resistant or tolerant to Pierce’s Disease (PD). If affected, PD would cause marginal leaf burn, but the vine would likely survive.
• Muscadine grapes are drought tolerant. Water during dry periods the first two years, then the vines can usually obtain adequate water from the soil even during dry periods.
• Muscadine grapes have a relatively high requirement for magnesium; and a shortage shows up as yellowing between the veins of older leaves. Premature fruit fall may also result. To prevent or correct magnesium deficiency, apply Epsom salts at the rate of 2 to 4 ounces for 1 and 2 year-old vines. For older vines, apply 4 to 6 ounces. Be sure to broadcast Epsom salts evenly over a 3 to 6 foot area and water it into the soil well.

Uses

The Sugargate Muscadine grape is quite sweet with edible skin and can be fresh eaten. It is also excellent for making wine, jam, jelly, and juice.