The red grape variety (breeding number Walker 09331-047) is a complex, interspecific new breeding between varieties of the species Vitis vinifera (97%), Vitis rupestris (1.5%) and Vitis arizonica (1.5%). The Vitis vinifera varieties were Zinfandel (50%), Petite Sirah = Durif (25%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (12.5%). The crossing was done in the 1990s by the geneticist Dr. Andrew Walker, professor at the University of California at Davis. The late-ripening grape is extremely resistant to Pierce's disease, which is becoming more prevalent due to climate change. It produces dark red wines with soft tannins and diverse aromas of cassis, berries, black olives, herbs, liquorice and dried hay. No stocks were reported in 2016 (Kym Anderson statistics).
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