I love grapes and especially vines, the joy of growing your own grapes cannot be underestimated.
My basic conditions for succeeding are a bit slim though, since I live in a rather cold climate. During winter, the temperature can drop to -10F, the summer temperature is rarely above +85F. The most limiting factor is not the temperature though, but the grapes’ exposure to sunlight.
Most grapes would like something around 100 days of sun between the bloom and harvest. Since our summers are often rainy, this severely limits my chances of success. Nevertheless, grape growing is extremely interesting and seeing a vine age, prune it to your desired form and see the results through years of care makes me a devoted gardener, even if some years’ harvests will fail.
For those of you that live in less harsh conditions, this should be an ideal hobby for both looks and taste. A porch, richly covered with grapes makes a beautiful view and even the smallest backyard can accommodate a plant. With the right pruning, it will often be a great addition to any garden.