Native Grapes
All together, North America has ~25 native Vitis (grape) species, but only four wild and hardy ones thrive in the West (e.g., V. californica, V. arizonica, V. girdiana, and V. riparia). We carry two of these native Western grapes—California Wild Grape (V. californica) and Desert Wild Grape (V. girdiana) chosen for wet and dry climates—and two native riparia-based cultivars chosen for flavor and resilience: ‘Bluebell’ (table/juice) and ‘Frontenac gris’ (wine/juice). V. riparia is the only Western native used extensively in modern breeding for cold-hardy, disease-tolerant grapes, including the Frontenac family. We don’t offer a thousand varieties like vineyard nurseries, but we offer a solid, region-smart lineup.
See the comparison table below to find which will work best for you.
| Grape | Type & Growth | Cold Hardiness | Heat / Drought | Fruit & Flavor | Primary Uses | Disease / Notes | Ripening / Flowering | Pollination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitis californica California Wild Grape [1][2] |
Native, vigorous deciduous vine; climbs with tendrils [2]. | Adapted to mild-winter West Coast; widely grown in CA and into s. Oregon [1][3]. | Tolerates seasonal drought once established; thrives on riparian margins, handles summer-dry gardens with support [1]. | Small purple berries; slip-skin; 3–4 seeds typical [1]. | Fresh snacking, juice; habitat/cover plantings [1]. | Fast cover, fall color; ornamental selections (e.g., ‘Rogers Red’) [12b]. | Flowers late spring; fruit late summer–fall (site dependent) [1]. | Self-fertile; better yields with multiple vines nearby. |
| Vitis girdiana Desert / Southern California Wild Grape [4][5] |
Native deciduous vine (woody, tendrils opposite leaves); vigorous climber along canyons & streambanks [4][5]. | Hardy within SoCal/inland ranges (USDA PLANTS: native to CA) [6]. | Heat-tolerant; drought-tolerant once established; native from sea level up to ~4,100 ft in SoCal [7]. | Small dark (often black) berries; edible; wildlife-favored [5][7]. | Hot-site edible landscaping, riparian restoration, habitat plantings [5][7]. | Range: southern CA (incl. Channel Islands) into Baja; reported just beyond CA borders in NV/AZ/UT [5][8]. | Flowers late spring; fruits late summer–fall in range [5]. | Self-fertile; cross-pollination can improve set. |
| ‘Bluebell’ Hardy table/juice grape [8b] |
Vigorous vine with Concord-like character; slipskin berries [8b]. | Very cold-hardy (to ~−30 °F); suitable for Zone 3 regions [8b]. | Best with full sun & good air; standard water for cold-hardy tables [8b]. | Medium, dark blue, juicy; classic “Concord-like” flavor [8b]. | Fresh, juice, jelly; acceptable for light home wine [8b]. | Released 1944 (U. Minnesota); productive; typical labrusca notes possible [8b]. | Mid-season in cold climates (site dependent) [8b]. | Self-fertile. |
| ‘Frontenac Gris’ Cold-hardy wine grape [9][10] |
Color mutation (“sport”) of ‘Frontenac’; moderately high vigor [9][10]. | Extremely hardy; trials show survival to ~−35 °F; fruitful on secondary buds [9]. | Performs in cold continental sites; maintain canopy aeration [10][11]. | Gray-skinned; wines show peach/pineapple & tropical notes; typically high acidity [9][10]. | White/rosé; sparkling & dessert styles possible [10]. | Generally good disease profile; monitor powdery mildew & foliar phylloxera; loose clusters reduce bunch rots [11]. | Mid-late ripening in cold regions (site & season dependent) [10]. | Self-fertile. |