Isabella (is-a-BELL-a)

An American hybrid probably derived from a seedling that occurred in nature when an unknown variety within the species Vitis labrusa crossed with an unknown variety of the Vitis vinifera species. The grape was brought from South Carolina to New York in the early 1800s by a grower, George Gibbs, whose wife was named Isabella. Now planted in places as disparate as Japan, New York State, India, and Brazil. Unlike most grape varieties, Isabella grows well in semitropical and humid conditions.