8 Cold Hardy Grape Varieties for Cooler Climates

Perfect for growing over a trellis, arbor, or arch, grapes are a lovely vertically growing crop to add to your garden. In cooler climates, we often think grapes aren’t a suitable fruit to grow. With the potential of mild or wet summers and cold springs, many grape varieties could fail. However, there are some amazing cold hardy grape varieties you can use!

Cold hardy grape varieties for colder climates

I’ve put together a list of some of the most popular cold hardy grape varieties. These varieties should be easy to find online or in specialist nurseries.

These grape cultivars have all been hybridized with native North American grape species like the Fox grape (Vitis labrusca) and Frost grape (Vitis riparia). Both are native to northeastern states and parts of Canada which is why they’re naturally very cold-tolerant.

For each grape, I’ve also listed the recommended minimum temperatures and growing zones too to help you make the best decision.

1. Bluebell

A very hardy grapevine that should survive temperatures of -30F! Bluebell produces dark blue/black grapes that you can eat fresh or use for juices or jellies. The taste is often described as a mix between concord grapes and blueberries.

It’s an early ripening variety ideal in areas with cool summers and shorter growing seasons.

Minimum temperature: Cold hardy to -40F

USDA zone: Suitable for growing in USDA zones 3-8

2. Petite Jewel 

A lovely cold hardy grape with a blush red color. It was a variety created by revered grape grower Elmer Swenson. He chose it specifically for its cold tolerance and also because it ripens early — ideal for cooler areas with short growing seasons.

It’s a variety loved for its color and sweet, almost strawberry-like flavor.

Minimum temperature: Cold hardy to -30F

USDA zone: Suitable for growing in USDA zones 4-9

3. Somerset Seedless

Another cold hardy variety developed by Elmer Swenson, the Somerset Seedless is similar to the Petite Jewel grape in color and flavor.

The minimum growing zone it’s recommended for is 4, but growers have had success in zone 3. It stays vigorous despite harsh winters. 

Minimum temperature: Cold hardy to -30F

USDA zone: Suitable for growing in USDA zones 4-8

4. Valiant 

Possibly one of the most resilient and cold hardy grapes on this list. Valiant produces sweet deep purple grapes that are best for eating fresh or juicing.

The Valiant grape was bred by South Dakota State University and has been successfully grown in Canada. It’s a cultivar that originally came from the Frost grape (Vitis raparia), which is native to Northeastern states and parts of Canada.

Minimum temperature: Cold hardy to -50F

USDA zone: Suitable for growing in USDA zones 3-8

5. King of the North

A grape that lives up to its name! King of the North is a cold hardy grape that produces large deep purple, almost black, grapes that are juicy and sweet when ripe. It’s a slip-skin grape that works best as a table or juicing grape.

Even in harsh winters, it’s still very vigorous and produces an amazing yield of grapes.

Minimum temperature: Cold hardy to -35F

USDA zone: Suitable for growing in USDA zones 3b-8

6. Frontenac Grape

A popular cold-hardy wine grape, Frontenac can survive temperatures down to -30F! The grapes have a deep blue color and grow in large clusters.

You can use them to make wine, but also for juicing or eating fresh. It’s not a seedless variety. There’s another cold hardy variety called Frontenac ‘Gris’, which has pinkish/gray bronze-colored grapes.

Minimum temperature: Cold hardy to -30F

USDA zone: Suitable for growing in USDA zones 3-7

7. La Crescent Grape

A cold hardy grape that’s popular for making dessert wines. It produces golden-green colored grapes in medium-sized clusters.

Although cold hardy and popular, La Crescent can be more susceptible to diseases like downy mildew and black rot compared to other grapes on this list. 

Minimum temperature: Cold hardy to -35F

USDA zone: Suitable for growing in USDA zones 4-8

8. St. Theresa Grape 

A lovely slip-skin grape that can survive temperatures down to -30F. St. Theresa produces deep purple fruits that are mostly seedless. You can use them to make wines, jellies, or juice.

They’re not only cold hardy, but pretty tolerant in most conditions, including partial shade and humid summers. St. Theresa was another grape cultivar created by the viticulturist legend, Elmer Swenson.

It’s great for growing over arbors and trellises, allowing you to get that Mediterranean look in some pretty Northern climates!

Minimum temperature: Cold hardy to -30F

USDA zone: Suitable for growing in USDA zones 4-9

Interested in growing other cold hardy fruits? The American pawpaw is a native fruit of the US. It has an amazing tropical flavor, and there are some very hardy varieties that can withstand very harsh winters.

Other cold hardy fruit varieties you might like to try…

• Cold hardy melons that ripen in shorter growing seasons
• Cold tolerant cucumbers for areas with variable summers

Featured image: Fox grapes by Moira Gibson from Pixabay