Ruby Cabernet is the resulting cross of Carignane and Cabernet Sauvignon made by H.P. Olmo of the University of California, Davis. It is the oldest crossing of wine varieties made by Olmo, released for distribution in 1948.
Vines have high vigor on deep, fine, sandy loam to clay loam soils. Vigor is low to moderate on very coarse sands. The canopy tends to be open and shoot growth semi-erect. Vine spacing should be about 7 to 8 feet or more down the vine row for vertical-shoot positioning or standard bilateral cordons. For horizontally divided quadrilateral vines, spacing should be 6 to 7 feet.
Ruby Cabernet produces quality wines with good color under optimum conditions, especially at lower crop levels. The wine can have distinctive varietal character. Potential wines can be used for less expensive varietals or as a blend to extend Cabernet or claret-type wines. Some interest in the variety as a premium wine for warmer regions may increase.
Foundation Plant Services at UC Davis is the source of Foundation grapevine material for the nursery industry, and the staff can provide information about possible sources for obtaining this stock.
The National Grape Registry (NGR) contains information about varieties of wine, juice, and table grapes, raisins, and grape rootstocks available in the United States. Growers, nurseries, winemakers and researchers can find background information and source contacts for those grape varieties in this single convenient location.
PublicationsVerdegaal, P. Ruby Cabernet (PDF). Pages 130-133 in: Wine Grape Varieties in California. University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources Publication 3419, Oakland, CA. Buy book
This website is a work in progress of the University of California (UC) Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANR) Integrated Grape Production Workgroup. It is designed to increase accessability to the work of UC researchers, including faculty, Cooperative Extension (CE) specialists, CE advisors, and staff. UC Researchers interested in contributing content are invited to contact Deborah Golino dagolino@ucdavis.edu to discuss possible contributions.
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