Swenson Red is a favorite among many cold-climate growers. It was the first introduction by the famed cold-hardy grape breeder Elmer Swenson, and it’s been a standout ever since.

Flavor & Versatility

This grape is firm, juicy, and strawberry-sweet, and is hardy to Zone 4. It’s excellent for fresh eating, but also shines in jelly and juice. While the name might suggest a red wine, its wine isn’t technically red—it’s closer to a rosé, and when fermented without the skin, it actually produces a crisp white wine.

Tough but Flexible in Harsh Winters

If you regularly experience winter temps below -30°F, it's been our experience—and that of many others planting Swenson Red (as well as Marquette and others)—that the tops may die back the first few winters, but the vines will consistently come back from the base in the spring.

That’s no problem at all—these are rooted cuttings, not grafts, so the roots are true to Swenson Red. What grows back will still be Swenson Red grapes. It might set the vine back a little at first, but after a couple of seasons, it’ll usually be strong enough to handle deeper frosts without dying back.

Strong Starts with Deep Roots

These vines are from rooted cuttings and come with a nice, robust root system, ready to thrive in your cold-climate vineyard.