The newest grape from University of Minnesota’s breeding program, Itasca has proven itself to be among the most cold hardy grapes known, even surpassing Frontenac and Marquette in cold hardiness. With aromas of apple, pear, and violet and lower acidity, this selection is very well suited to making dry white wines and sparkling wines. Some very nice off dry wines have also been produced. A very productive grape, Itasca ripens early to brix levels in the mid 20's and moderate acidity of around 10 g/L. Suitable for most of Montana, Itasca could be given a try in zone 3 if the site conditions were right. Self-pollinating.

Sometimes if you regularly see below -30F in the winter, it has been our experience and the experience of many who have planted out Itasca (along with Marquette and many others) over the years, that the tops may die the first few winters but that they’ll continually come up from the base the following year. This is totally okay because these are from rooted cuttings and not grafts, so those roots will be from Itasca, and you’ll get Itasca grapes when they come up in the Spring. It does set the grape back a little but eventually after a couple years it will be strong enough to take harder frosts without dying back to the roots.

These are large vines with an extensive root system.