American grapes are the most cold-hardy, while European grapes are more delicate and need warmer weather. … Protecting grapevines in winter is vital regardless of the purpose of the grape. Just know that grapevines need several years of growth before you can harvest a crop.
How cold can grapes survive?
Many European and International grape varieties, Riesling and Chardonnay for example, can survive temperatures as low as -15 or -20 F. Three of Minnesota’s most popular cold-climate hybrid varieties, Marquette, Frontenac Gris, and LaCrescent, have been studied to survive temperatures as low as -35 F.
How do you take care of grapes in the winter?
- Train the vines to a support system that will allow them to be easily removed.
- In fall, after leaves drop and vines are dormant, prune the vines leaving a few extra buds in case of cold damage.
- Release the vines and gently bend to lie on the ground.