Orion (grape)

Orion is a white wine grape variety of German origin. It was created by Dr. Gerhardt Alleweldt at the Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding in Siebeldingen in 1964, by crossing the Vitis vinifera variety Optima with the hybrid grape Villard Blanc. Therefore, Orion is itself a hybrid grape rather than a pure Vitis vinifera.
Orion derives its name from the mythological hunter Orion, which gave the constellation Orion its name. The grape variety is also known under the synonyms Geilweilerhof GA-58-30 and Gf. GA-58-30.
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.