Grape - Frontenac™

Grapes need a good support system like fences, walls, trellises, arbors or other structures. It is self pollinating. The flowers are attractive to bees and birds love grapes, so be sure to plant some to share. The grape vines can be quite attractive year-round and can provide good cover, screening, or shade to areas around the home. It needs a location sheltered from winter winds and well removed from frost pockets. The small, dark-blue berries are loosely spaced on medium to large clusters. The Frontenac Grape, Vitis 'Frontenac', is a hardy red wine grape developed by the University of MN that produces a very good quality juice for wine making. Grapes need full sunlight and high temperatures to ripen, so plant on southern slopes, the south side of windbreaks, or the south sides of buildings. The fruit holds well, and berry splitting and bunch rot are rare, even in wet years. This grape tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but must have good drainage. A vigorous grower with good disease resistance, it has proven hardy in -30° winter temperatures. The fruit matures in a short growing season, so it's a perfect variety for northern gardens. Considered to be a good grape for juices and jellies. Frontenac has vigorous growth and good resistance to downy and powdery mildew. Grapes are primarily grown for fruit production in home fruit gardens where they provide good ornamental value: bold summer foliage, showy fruit, some fall color and shaggy, twisted trunking and branching often best seen in winter. ... more