Herbert is one of the collection of grape varieties known as Rogers' Hybrids

Rogers' Hybrids

Rogers' Hybrids are a group of 45 grape seedlings, thirteen of them named as cultivars, developed by Edward Staniford Rogers of Salem, Massachusetts, in the mid-19th century...

, created by E.S. Rogers in the mid-19th century, and is the result of a cross of Carter, a selection of Vitis labrusca

Vitis labrusca

Vitis labrusca is a species of grapevines belonging to the Vitis genus in the flowering plant family Vitaceae. The vines are native to the eastern United States and are the source of many grape cultivars, including Catawba and Concord grapes, and many hybrid grape varieties such as Agawam,...

, and Black Hamburg (there are two varieties known by this name, but in this case it was probably Schiava Grossa), a selection of Vitis vinifera

Vitis vinifera

Vitis vinifera is a species of Vitis, native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwestern Asia, from Morocco and Portugal north to southern Germany and east to northern Iran....

. It was originally known as Rogers No. 44.

Herbert is female, and thus requires a second grape variety as a pollen source. Even then, Herbert tends towards straggly, poorly-filled clusters. The black fruit ripens with Concord and keeps well. Although never extensively cultivated, it was a favorite of amateurs in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Hedrick considered the quality, at its best, to rival that of its vinifera parent.