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Frontenac Grape (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027
$59.99
Reliable shipping
Flexible returns
Ripening
Will it finish before your first hard freeze?
Check it on the Ripening Map (opens in a new tab)
Disease resistanceResists 1 of 7
- 3 Anthracnose : Moderate, 3 of 5
- 2 Black rot : Susceptible, 2 of 5
- 2 Botrytis bunch rot : Susceptible, 2 of 5
- 3 Crown gall : Moderate, 3 of 5
- 4 Downy mildew : Resistant, 4 of 5
- 3 Phomopsis cane spot : Moderate, 3 of 5
- 2 Powdery mildew : Susceptible, 2 of 5
Scored 1 to 5. Higher resists better, and ? means no published data yet.
See it on our grape and kiwi disease chart (opens in a new tab)At a glance: Frontenac Grape is a grape vine rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), self-fertile, so one plant can crop, and it ripens about Oct 4 to Oct 19 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).
| Hardy to | Zone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our cold hardiness calculator. |
|---|---|
| Chill hours | About 550 hours (400 to 750). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. Check your chill hours or see our sources. |
| Pollination | Self-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring to early summer here. Frontenac has perfect flowers and sets fruit on its own, so one variety is enough. Grapes bloom in June, well after tree fruit. Grape Pollination Chart. |
| Ripens | About Oct 4 to Oct 19 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. See the date for your town. |
| Good for | Wine (8/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists. |
| Deer | A deer favorite. Fence it or cage it. |
| Where it came from | Read about the University of Minnesota breeding program and what else came out of it. |
| What you get | Bare root. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out. |
Overview
Frontenac is a classic bluish-black grape known for its rich red wines and high-vigor vines. The first of the Frontenac family introduced to the public, it was released in 1996.
A Cold-Climate Game Changer
The introduction of Frontenac marked the start of a major movement in states like Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as the acreage of cold-hardy grapes—and public interest in cold-hardy wines—rapidly grew. Frontenac has proven its ability to survive extreme cold events down to -35°F with little damage compared to most other varieties.
Proven Performer in Montana
We’ve been growing Frontenac in a commercial vineyard we planted in 2019 in an area of Alberton (just west of Missoula) that’s seen temps below -30°F—with no issues at all. It also bears heavily.
Why It’s a Top Choice
Its extreme hardiness and winemaking qualities make it one of the best red varieties to grow in Zone 3b. These vines are going on their third year and come bare root with lots of fine root hairs.
Plant Size
These are vines going on their second year with an established root system.
Questions we get about Frontenac Grape
Does Frontenac Grape need a pollenizer?
No. Frontenac Grape is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Frontenac has perfect flowers and sets fruit on its own, so one variety is enough. Grapes bloom in June, well after tree fruit.
How cold hardy is Frontenac Grape?
We rate Frontenac Grape hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.
How many chill hours does Frontenac Grape need?
About 550 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 400 and 750. That comes from published figures for this variety. Frontenac's riparia blood means a modest chill need and quick response to warm spells. Plant where cold air drains away. Our chill hours guide has a calculator for your winters, and our research page lists the sources.
When does Frontenac Grape ripen?
About Oct 4 to Oct 19 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.
What is Frontenac Grape good for?
Our top use scores for Frontenac Grape are wine (8/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.
Is Frontenac Grape disease resistant?
For some diseases, yes. It's resistant to downy mildew. It holds up moderately well against anthracnose, crown gall and Phomopsis cane spot. It's prone to black rot, botrytis bunch rot and powdery mildew. Our grape and kiwi disease resistance chart has every rating, the notes and the sources.
Will deer eat Frontenac Grape?
Yes, deer love it. Protect Frontenac Grape with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.
What arrives, and when does Frontenac Grape ship?
A dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.
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