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Pennsylvania Winesap

Apple

Pennsylvania Winesap

Origin/History

Origin unknown. The variety was grown in Wayne County, Indiana. The name is noted as a local name. The 1867 Warder description identifies it as a local designation, and the variety is cited by Downing (1900) with attribution to Warder, indicating that Downing drew directly from Warder's earlier account rather than from independent observation.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size and Form

Large. Conical-oblate, truncated, and angular in form.

Skin

Surface smooth. Ground color yellow, blushed, with very little splashing. Dots scattered and minute.

Stem

Medium or short in length; stout and fleshy.

Cavity

Medium in depth and width; wavy.

Calyx

Medium in size; closed.

Basin

Medium; folded and wavy.

Flesh and Flavor

Flesh yellowish-white, tender, fine-grained, and juicy. Flavor sub-acid. Quality rated good.

Core and Seeds

Core regular and closed. Seeds few and plump.

Season

December and January.

Uses

Table.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

View original book sources (2)

Pennsylvania Winesap.—[Local Name.]

Origin unknown; Grown in Wayne County, Indiana.

Fruit large, conical-oblate, truncated, angular.

Surface smooth, yellow, blushed, very little splashed; Dots scattered, minute.

Basin medium, folded, wavy; Eye medium, closed.

Cavity medium, wavy; Stem medium or short, stout, fleshy.

Core regular, closed; Seeds few, plump; Flesh yellowish-white, tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid; Quality good; Use, table; Season, December, January.

— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)

Pennsylvania Wine Sap. Origin unknown. Fruit large, conical oblate, truncated, yellow, blushed, very little splashed. Flesh yellowish white, tender, juicy, subacid. Good. December, January. (Warder.)

A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
Pennsylvania Wine Sap