Frontenac (grape)

Frontenac (French pronunciation: [fʁɔ̃tnak]) is an interspecific hybrid grapevine that is a result of research and crossbreeding by the University of Minnesota.

It was grown from a crossing of the complex interspecific hybrid Landot 4511 and a very cold-hardy selection of Vitis riparia.

It started as a single bud mutation of Frontenac, yielding gray (thus named gris) fruit and amber-colored juice.

Frontenac gris wines present aromas of peach and apricot with hints of enticing citrus and tropical fruit.

The variety is one of the 4 most commonly planted wine grapes in Minnesota, with Frontenac gris, La Crescent, and Marquette.

Frontenac grapes growing in Michigan.
A young Frontenac gris grapevine.