Vitis vinifera ‘Sahibee’

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A communication which we have received from Lieut.-Col. W. H. Sykes, F.R.S., enables us to give some facts not generally known relative to the vine. In the 'Penny Magazine,” No. 253, it was stated that the cultivation of the vine was limited to countries having a mean temperature between 50° and 60°; but Colonel Sykes says that six species of vines are cultivated profitably in Dakhun (Deccan), East Indies, between the 17 degree and 19 degree parallels of latitude, and longitude 73 degrees 50 minutes and 76 degrees 50 minutes east of Greenwich, at an elevation above the sea varying from 1500 to 1800 feet; the mean temperature of the year being 77 to 78 degrees; the mean temperature of the hottest months (April and May) 81 to 85 degrees; and of the coldest (October and January) 66 to 71 degrees. The six species of grapes cultivated by the natives in Dakhun, to the luxuriant production of which Colonel Sykes' residence in that part of the East Indies enables him to bear testimony from personal observations, are, the Hubshee, or long, black, truncated, fleshy grape; the Fuckree, an oblong, green, musky grape; the Sahibee, an oblong, yellowish-green, fleshy, dry grape; the Ahbee, as its name implies, a large, round, watery grape; the Bedana, as its name implies, a seedless grape, very small and round, like the “rishmish'' of the Persian Gulf.’ [The Penny Magazine p.151/1836]. 

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues as ‘Sahibee’ [Vines for Table Only no.13/1843].

Notes