Hybrid Castes – what are they?

Hybrid Castes – what are they?

Discover the role of hybrid grape varieties in modern viticulture — resilience, sustainability, and the challenge of uniting science and tradition in the world of wine.

Behind the scenes of the vineyard, among the roots that span centuries of history and science, an increasingly debated topic emerges: hybrid grape varieties. For some, they are the key to the sustainable future of viticulture; for others, a heresy against the purity of Vitis vinifera . But what exactly are hybrid grape varieties?

1. What are hybrid castes?

Hybrid grape varieties (or interspecies hybrids) are the result of crossbreeding between different species of the genus Vitis. In simple terms: they are the marriage between the European elegance of Vitis vinifera — the basis of classic wines — and the rusticity of American and Asian species, such as Vitis labrusca , Vitis riparia or Vitis amurensis .

The goal is to combine the best of both worlds: wine quality and natural resistance to pests and diseases.

2. A bit of history:

The birth of hybrids dates back to the 19th century, when Europe faced its greatest viticultural tragedy—the phylloxera invasion, a small insect that decimated millions of hectares of vineyards. To save the viticultural heritage, scientists began crossing European vines with American species naturally resistant to the pest. From these crosses were born the first hybrid varieties, which would mark a new era in world viticulture.

3. Types of hybrids:

Not all hybrids are the same. They are divided into several categories, depending on their purpose and genetic complexity.

Hybrid Type	Description	Example of Species Involved	Main Features
Direct Producer Hybrids (DPH)	Direct crossbreeding between V. vinifera and American species.	V. vinifera × V. labrusca / V. riparia	High resistance to disease, but limited aromatic quality.
Intraspecific Hybrids	Crossbreeding within the same species (vinifera × vinifera).	Ex: Cabernet Sauvignon × Sauvignon Blanc	High quality; focus on diversity and expression of terroir.
Hybrid rootstocks	Used as a resistant base for grafting vinifera.	V. riparia × V. berlandieri	Phylloxera resistant grapes do not produce grapes for wine.
Complex Hybrids	They involve multiple species (vinifera × amurensis × riparia).	Modern improvement programs.	Combined resilience and great climate adaptability.

4. Why create them?

Genetic improvement programs with hybrids have three main objectives :

• Natural resistance – minimizing the use of chemicals.

• Climate adaptation – allowing cultivation in cold or humid regions.

• Economic and environmental sustainability – reducing costs and ecological impact.

  
  

Currently, these objectives align with the guidelines of the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) , which encourages sustainable viticultural practices and less reliance on chemical treatments.

5. Hybrids vs. Vine Vineyards: the essential comparison:

Appearance	Hybrid Varieties	Traditional Vinifera Varieties
Phylloxera resistance	High	Low
Cold tolerance	High	Moderate
Sensitivity to mildew/powdery mildew	Reduced	High
Need for chemical treatments	Low	High
Aromatic potential	Moderate	Elevated and diverse
Wine quality	Lighter, simpler	Complexes

Despite their agronomic advantages, many hybrids still carry the stigma of being "rustic" wines, with aromas considered less refined. However, modern hybrids have been changing that perception.

6. The perspective of legislation:

In the European Union, the use of hybrids in wines with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) is severely restricted. The priority is to protect the typicity of European wines, based on Vitis vinifera . However, as the planet warms and sustainability gains momentum, countries like Moldova, France, Austria, and Hungary are beginning to reassess this position—especially in pilot programs for organic viticulture.

7. Hybrids that deserve mention:

Caste	Origin/Institute	Main Features	Current Use
Seyval Blanc	France (1919)	Resistant to cold and mildew; light and fresh wine.	Grown in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the USA.
Baco Noir	France (1894)	Folle Blanche × V. riparia; medium body, soft tannins.	Canada and the northern United States.
Vidal Blanc	France (1930)	Ideal for sweet wines like Icewine.	Canada, Germany.
Rondo	Germany (1964)	Saperavi Severnyi × St. Laurent; intense color.	Central Europe.
Regent	Germany (1967)	Silvaner × Müller-Thurgau × Chambourcin; balanced profile.	Germany, Belgium, Denmark.

8. Hybrids and sustainability: the perfect match:

Given the current climate challenges, viticulture seeks a balance between productivity and respect for the environment. New generation hybrids—created through classical breeding, not genetic engineering—allow for reductions of 70 to 90% in fungicide use and demonstrate excellent adaptation to water and heat stress .

Projects like PIWI (Pilzwiderstandsfähig) in Germany and Austria are leading this movement, resulting in high-quality wines with a much smaller environmental footprint compared to traditional grape varieties.

9. The debate continues:

Despite all the advancements, hybrids still divide opinions.

Purists argue that only Vitis vinifera expresses the true terroir .

Innovators see hybrids as the solution for the survival of vines in times of climate change.

The truth is that both sides have a point: preserving viticultural heritage is essential, but science can also be an ally of tradition.

On January 26, 2026, UC Davis will host the first conference dedicated exclusively to the study of hybrid grape varieties, with a view to their applicability in California: https://www.embracinghybridgrapes.com .

Hybrid grape varieties were born out of necessity — but today they represent an opportunity. What began as a patch against phylloxera has become a strategic tool for a more resilient, sustainable, and global viticulture.

The challenge lies not only in producing quality wines, but also in educating the consumer to accept new aromatic profiles and value the balance between nature and innovation.

Ultimately, whether it's a vinifera or a hybrid, the grapevine continues to tell the same story: that of a plant that evolves with humankind and with time—and which, thankfully, never stops reinventing itself.

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WRITTEN BY:

Pedro Fernandes

Pedro Fernandes is a Portuguese winemaker who has been involved in viticulture since he was 11 years old, where he started making his first wines with his father and doing tasks such as pruning.

Since then he has never stopped and in 2018 he decided to dedicate himself to the wine sector, starting by doing "everything backwards". He began by taking wine specialization courses such as WSET (Direct Wine) and Wine Expertise (ISAG) in 2018/2019. Then he graduated from the University of Nebrijia in Madrid, obtaining an MBA in Oenology (2020). In 2021, at the age of 39, he decided to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Oenology (UTAD), and against all odds, he finished the course in 2024.

Along the way, he created his first personal wine brand - Chãos - and completed an internship at the prestigious Chateau Latour (in Bordeaux).

Currently, he works as a consultant in the wine sector, where he plays a role not only as an oenologist, but also in creating business strategies for wine producers, with a current vision of the market, which includes resources from Digital Marketing and Wine Tourism.