| Orion | |
| Species: | Hybrid grape |
| Also Called: | Geilweilerhof GA-58-30 |
| Origin: | Germany |
Orion is a white wine grape variety of German origin. It was created by Dr. Gerhardt Alleweldt (1927-2005) at the Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding in Siebeldingen in 1964, by crossing the Vitis vinifera variety Optima with the hybrid grape Villard Blanc.[1] [2] Therefore, Orion is itself a hybrid grape (interspecific crossing) rather than a pure Vitis vinifera.
Orion derives its name from the mythological hunter Orion, which gave the constellation Orion its name.[2] It is also known under the synonyms Geilweilerhof GA-58-30 and Gf. GA-58-30.[1]
Orion is grown in small quantities in the UK at the Royal Horticultural Society's Wisley Garden, where it is used together with the Phoenix hybrid grape to produce a dry white wine.[3]