Kishmish Moldavsky — Variety Overview and Why It’s My Autumn Favorite
Kishmish Moldavsky is one of those varieties that pleasantly surprises me every year. It ripens later than most table grapes and keeps its flavor when other berries have already lost their freshness. That’s why this variety has become the “final chord” of my grape season.
This is a late-ripening seedless variety (about 155 days from bud break to full maturity), known for its harmonious sweet taste, firm flesh, thin skin, and excellent suitability for making natural homemade raisins.
Advantages of the Variety
- Late ripening — when other varieties are already gone
Its main advantage is the ability to harvest deep into autumn. This extends the fresh grape season long after most other varieties have finished.
- Stores well
Clusters can hang longer on the vine or be kept in cool storage for a short time. The berries remain firm and retain their flavor.
- Ideal for homemade raisins
Its high sugar content, seedlessness, and thin skin make it one of the best varieties for drying. It produces natural, aromatic raisins without added sugar or preservatives.
- Stability and reliability
With basic care, this variety tolerates autumn weather well, isn’t afraid of temperature drops, and consistently provides good yields.
Berry and Cluster Characteristics
Color: dark blue with a waxy bloom
Taste: sweet and harmonious
Flesh: firm, crunchy, seedless
Clusters: medium, cylindrical-conical
Growing Tips
Planting Location
A south-facing wall, well-lit and protected from northern winds, is ideal for full ripening of the berries and the vine in the climate of central Ukraine.
Soil
Light, fertile, well-drained soils. Loam also works well — this variety grows perfectly on my site.
Watering
Moderate. Excess moisture reduces taste quality and can soften the berries.
Disease Management
This is not a “super-resistant” variety, so I recommend:
- at least 2 preventive treatments
- proper crop load control
- good air circulation
Want to grow grapes yourself?
If you’re interested in practical advice on planting, summer care, disease protection, variety selection, and seasonal work — I’ve prepared a series of eBooks based on 15+ years of hands-on experience with vineyards in central Ukraine.
📘 Learn more in my guides on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FGGMWM8Z
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FN499S2K
E-books are also available in Ukrainian and Russian at:
https://danilive.org/
Stay updated
Browse the posts in this section for practical materials and videos about each grape variety, and follow new updates — there’s a lot more coming:
variety overviews, practical videos, recommendations, and seasonal tips.
In the video, you will see a fully ripe cluster on my vine — the berries reach their rich color and peak sweetness.
English 
Ukrainian