St. Croix Grape
St. Croix Grape
A Very Hardy, Low-Maintenance Red Grape for Wine and the Table
St. Croix Grape (Vitis 'St. Croix') is a rugged, productive blue-red grape developed by pioneering breeder Elmer Swenson — hardy to roughly -30°F, low in acid, and easygoing enough for first-time growers. It makes soft, fruity red wines and is also pleasant for fresh eating and juice. Vigorous and disease-tolerant, it's self-fertile and needs only full sun and a sturdy trellis. Whether you're starting a backyard vineyard in Edina, covering an arbor in Maple Grove, or growing easy grapes in Woodbury — St. Croix thrives in zone 4b–5a (and colder) gardens.
St. Croix Grape Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Vitis 'St. Croix' |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruiting vine (wine & table grape) |
| Mature Length | 15–20+ feet on a trellis; train to your system |
| Sun | Full sun (8+ hours) for ripening and sugar |
| Water | Moderate while establishing; fairly drought-tolerant once rooted |
| USDA Zones | 3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a); hardy to about -30°F |
| Soil | Well-draining; tolerates a range of soils. Avoid wet, low spots; good air drainage reduces disease. |
| Pollination | Self-fertile — a single vine will fruit |
| Use | Soft, fruity red wine; also good for fresh eating and juice |
| Harvest | Late August to early September in the Twin Cities; ripens early |
| Winter Hardiness | Excellent — to roughly -30°F |
St. Croix Grape Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Easy backyard vineyard
Its low acidity and forgiving nature make St. Croix a great first grape. Train it on a two-wire trellis in full sun in a Plymouth yard.
Arbors and screens
Vigorous enough to cover an arbor or pergola for summer shade plus a fall harvest in Eden Prairie.
Wine, juice, and fresh eating
It makes soft, approachable reds and is also enjoyable off the vine and as juice — a versatile family grape.
Best Time to Plant St. Croix Grape in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) after hard frost so the vine has a full season to establish. Fall planting is not recommended for grapes here. Never plant into frozen ground.
How to Plant St. Croix Grape
- Choose the sunniest, best-drained spot — a south or west slope is ideal for ripening and air drainage.
- Install the trellis before or at planting; grapes need sturdy support from year one.
- Dig a hole 2–3× the root width; backfill with native soil and some compost. Don't over-fertilize.
- Space vines 6–8 feet apart along the trellis.
- Water in well and mulch lightly, keeping mulch off the trunk.
- The first two years, train a single strong trunk and remove fruit so the vine builds structure.
Watering St. Croix Grape in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow
- Month 1–2: Every 4–5 days
- Month 3–6: Weekly; deep but infrequent watering encourages deep roots
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Established vines are fairly drought-tolerant; water only during extended dry spells. Avoid a constantly wet root zone, which invites disease.
Is St. Croix good for beginners?
Yes — it's low-acid, disease-tolerant, and forgiving, making it one of the easiest hardy grapes to grow and vinify.
When and how do I prune it?
Prune in late winter while dormant, removing about 80–90% of last year's growth. Grapes fruit on new shoots from one-year-old wood.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — to about -30°F. No burial needed; site it for good air drainage.
You May Also Like
- Frontenac Grape — a bolder, very hardy red
- Marquette Grape — a complex, structured hardy red
- La Crescent Grape — an aromatic hardy white
How Many St. Croix Grapes Do I Need?
Space vines 6–8 ft apart on a two-wire trellis. This self-fertile red fruits on its own; plant a short row for both wine and fresh eating.
| Trellis Length | Vines Needed (~7 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 14 ft | 3 |
| 21 ft | 4 |
| 28 ft | 5 |
| 35 ft | 6 |
St. Croix Grape Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Buds break after late-winter pruning; fruiting shoots emerge on one-year wood.
- Summer: Easy-going, low-maintenance vines fill the trellis in full sun.
- Fall: Clusters ripen to a milder, food-friendly red for wine or the table.
- Winter: Dormant and very cold-hardy (to about -30°F); no burial needed in the Twin Cities.
At a Glance
✔ Edible ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Frontenac Grape — a bolder, very hardy red to blend.
- Marquette Grape — a complex, structured hardy red.
- La Crescent Grape — an aromatic hardy white for variety.
- Itasca Grape — a crisp, low-acid hardy white.
Is St. Croix Grape Right for Your Yard?
St. Croix is the low-maintenance choice for a first vineyard — it's forgiving and very hardy, asking only for full sun, well-drained soil, good airflow, and a trellis with annual pruning. It's the wrong pick for a wet, shady, frost-pocket spot where fruit won't ripen and disease sets in.
Where we deliver
We deliver St. Croix Grape and the rest of our nursery stock across the Twin Cities seven-county metro — Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Anoka, Washington, Scott and Carver counties — from our yard in Waconia, Minnesota.
That includes Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Edina, Bloomington, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Woodbury and the surrounding suburbs — see the full delivery area. Delivery is free on orders over $200 and $35 below that. Enter your ZIP code at checkout to confirm your address is covered, or read the shipping and delivery details.
Everything we sell is selected to survive USDA zone 4b–5a, which is what the Twin Cities metro sits in.