Riverbank Grape

Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) is a native grapevine from Quebec to Texas and Montana through New England it is the most widespread native grape species in North America. Super cold hardy it is known to survive temperatures down to minus 70 degrees. It has dark intensely flavored berries that are eaten fresh and made into jellies, juce and wine. Vigorous fast growing vines can grow into the canopy of the tallest trees. Very disease and phylloxera resistant it has been used extensively as a rootstock and in breeding programs crossing with vinfera grapes. The cultivars Marchal Foch, Baco Noir and Frontenac all have significant riparia in its blood lines. Also known as the Frost grape it is hardy zones 3-8.