Crabapple
Winekist Apple is a medium-sized heirloom cultivar with deep crimson skin dotted with white specks and a striking red flesh inside. Introduced in 1949 by Carl A. Hansen in South Dakota, this hardy apple thrives in zones 4-9 and grows to a mature height of 8 feet. The flavor is notably tart with good character, and the fruit excels in cider, cooking, and fresh eating, making it a true multi-purpose addition to any orchard.
—
—
4-9
96in H x ?in W
Perennial
High
Hover over chart points for details
The Winekist's dramatic red flesh sets it apart from most commercial apples, giving ciders and sauces a beautiful hue while delivering the tartness that cider makers prize. It resembles the Red Vein Crab Apple but produces larger fruit with superior flavor. Introduced by a South Dakota horticulturist nearly 75 years ago, this variety combines cold hardiness with genuine orchard versatility, thriving from the upper Midwest through warmer regions.
Winekist apples are celebrated for cider making, where their tartness and striking red flesh create both complex flavor and beautiful color. They excel in sauces, jams, and other cooked preparations that benefit from their natural acidity. Fresh eating is certainly possible, especially for those who enjoy tart apples, but the variety shines when processed rather than eaten out of hand.
Plant bare-root trees in early spring or fall when dormant. Choose a location with full sun exposure and space trees at least 15-20 feet apart to allow for mature growth and air circulation. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root system without crowding, and backfill with native soil mixed with compost. Water thoroughly after planting to settle soil around the roots.
Winekist apples mature in mid to late season. Harvest when the skin develops its full deep crimson color with characteristic white dots; gently twist the fruit from the branch, and it should release easily when ripe. The apples are medium-sized, making them easy to handle and process. Pick regularly to encourage continued flowering and prevent excessive branch weight.
Prune Winekist Apple trees during dormancy in late winter or early spring. Focus on maintaining an open center structure by removing crossing branches and diseased wood. As this is a medium-sized tree reaching about 8 feet, selective thinning of interior growth improves sunlight penetration and air flow, which reduces fungal pressure. Avoid heavy pruning that creates large wounds; instead, make small cuts to shape the tree gradually over years.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“The Winekist Apple was introduced in 1949 by Carl A. Hansen, a South Dakota fruit breeder working in Brookings during a golden era of American apple development. Hansen bred this variety to improve upon the Red Vein Crab Apple, creating a fruit that retained the distinctive red flesh and cold hardiness of its ancestor while delivering larger apples with more complex flavor. The variety emerged from early 20th-century traditions of developing apples suited to harsh continental climates, when home ciders and preserves were central to rural life. Hansen's work in South Dakota ensured Winekist would thrive in some of the coldest apple-growing regions in the country, securing its place in cold-climate orchards for decades.”