Cold Hardy Grape Varieties
Growing grapes in zone 4 is no different than anywhere else, though additional winter protection or prepping may be necessary in some instances. The key to success largely depends on your zone 4 grape selections. Here are some good zone 4 grapevines: Beta – Hardy down to zone 3, this concord hybrid is deep purple and very strong. It’s good for jams and juice but not for winemaking. Bluebell – Hardy down to zone 3, this grape is very disease resistant and good for juice, jelly, and eating. It performs very well in zone 4. Edelweiss – A very hardy white grape, it produces yellow to green fruit that makes good, sweet wine and is excellent eaten fresh. Frontenac – Bred to be a cold hardy wine grape, it produces heavy clusters of many small fruits. Primarily used for wine, it also makes a good jam. Kay Gray – Less hardy of the zone 4 grapevines, this one needs some protection to survive the winter. It produces excellent green table grapes but is not very productive. King of the North – Hardy down to zone 3, this vine heavily produces blue grapes that are excellent for juice. Marquette – Relatively hardy down to zone 3, it performs very well in zone 4. Its blue grapes are a favorite for making red wine. Minnesota 78 – A less hardy hybrid of Beta, it is hardy down to zone 4. Its blue grapes are great for juice, jam, and eating fresh. Somerset – Hardy down to zone 4, this white seedless grape is the most cold tolerant seedless grape available. Swenson Red – This red table grape has a strawberry-like flavor that makes it a favorite for eating fresh. It is hardy down to zone 4. Valiant – Thought to be the toughest of the cold hardy grape varieties, reportedly surviving temperatures as low as -50 degrees F. (-46 C.). Very popular for its toughness and flavor, it’s a good choice in cold climates. It is, however, very vulnerable to mildew disease. Worden – Hardy down to zone 4, it produces a large number of blue grapes that are good for jams and juice and has good disease resistance.
