Vidal Blanc. A small community of growers and wineries that focus on cold-hardy grapes including Frontenac, Chambourcin and Marquette for reds and Brianna, La Crescent, Seyval Blanc, Traminette and Chardonel for whites. If you’ve never heard of Norton, Chambourcin or Marquette, these are special varieties that survive the coldest northeast winters. Cold climate wine varieties are carefully bred, in part, by crossing native US grape species with European grape species. Much of the research and development into these cold-hardy grapes is still in active development at universities, including the University of Minnesota, Purdue and Cornell University. Montana is a blank slate for vineyard development,” Vogel wrote. “The Montana wine industry can only grow.” Vineyards in Montana are known to cultivate grapes used in making red wine varieties. These grapes include Frontenac, Marquette, Marechal Foch and Petite Pearl. While not as prominent, there are a few white wine varieties available, often made using St. Pepin and Prairie Star grapes. Other grapes found in the region include Frontenac Gris, and Crimson Pearl.

At White Raven, we feel that the best way to honor our community’s past is to work hard in the present so that we can contribute to its future. This winery belongs to Columbia Falls, just as much as it belongs to us. What Lies Ahead for White Raven Linda Coco, CSW is a “Roads Scholar” with a passion for road-tripping across the great state of Montana and beyond, learning all she can about the people and places she explores. When not behind the wheel, she enjoys cooking, writing, and hosting wine tastings for her vivacious group of oenophile friends, “The Wining Women of Whitefish”. She’s a self-proclaimed “edutainer”, aiming to entertain while educating, because learning about wine ought to be fun! Share in the fun at her blog, “ It’s a WINEderful Life”. Today we have a guest post from Linda Coco, CSW. Linda tells use about five specialists—from plant researchers to extension agents to cold-climate grape experts—she dubs the “Divine Wine Super Heroes” of Montana’s growing wine industry. After you read her article, I am sure you will agree! In our current study we performed multistep analysis of GSE on all elements of human haemostasis. We tested both the cellular and plasma components of the blood coagulation system. We demonstrated that GSE in concentrations of 15 µg/mL is able to prolong coagulation time of APTT and PT ( Figure 2), as well as inhibit blood platelet response to one of the most prothrombotic agonists, ADP ( Figure 1). There are 8 wineries in Montana, often creating their blends using grapes from other regions due to the location and climate in Montana. However, winemakers have started to cultivate hybrid grapes capable of surviving in the area and producing incredible wines. What Grapes Grow In Montana?This leaves Montana winemakers like Thaden and the McGuires to face the holes in the legal code — and to try to change them. Both Thaden and Brian McGuire have been active in campaigning to update wine laws in Montana. Many attempts like last year’s House Bill 688, which would have created a committee to study wine in the state, ultimately failed. Our previous in vitro studies show that grape seed extract (GSE) modulates the coagulation process in human plasma [ 25]. Grape seed extract’s action on human plasma resulted in prolongation of blood plasma clotting time (APTT, PT, TT), and a reduction of thrombin-induced plasma polymerization. Additionally, this extract strongly inhibits the amidolytic and proteolytic activity of the main human coagulation enzyme, thrombin [ 26].

Concord is the most planted grape used primarily for juice. Wines are mostly made with Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. Pinot Noir. The state’s dedication to cool-climate Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay has international acclaim. Oregon is the 3rd largest wine producing state in the nation. Oregon Wine Board White Raven, true to its name, is one of a handful of wineries in the state actually crafting wine from Montana-grown grapes. It recently became one of four members of the very new Winery Association of Montana, a membership contingent upon whether at least half a winery’s selection offers wines produced in Montana, Murphy said.
White Raven crafts 100% of its wines in Montana, but given the state’s still budding capacity to harbor vineyards, most of their wines are traditional European styles, made from grapes driven up from the warmer climes of, most often, west coast states. Don’t make the mistake of comparing a marquette to a cabernet,” Thaden said. The chemistry of the grape is different, the amount of tannins, different. “But that doesn’t mean it can’t be a damn good wine. It just will be a different wine.” Tongue River Winery’s La Crescent, a white wine grape developed from Muscat to thrive in the harder climate of Montana than most Muscat grapes could tolerate. However, Tongue River’s La Crescent positively thrives, winning awards and making for one of the most exciting white wines that you’re likely to try.St. Pepin and Edelweiss are white wines with Riesling-like sensibility. One of the coldest places in the US for outdoor grape growing specializing in cold climate varieties including Cayuga, St. Croix, Frontenac, Marechal Foch, Corot Noir and Leon Millot. Maine Winery Guild In 2004, Montana pastor Bob Thaden placed a phone call to a Minnesota man named Ray Winter. Thaden had heard that Winter was successfully growing cold-hardy grapes developed at the University of Minnesota, and wanted to find out if it was true. Winter assured Thaden that not only could these grapes grow in midwest winters, but they could likely be successful in Thaden’s home state of Montana, as well. Out in Miles City, Thaden put a few grape vines in the ground. They did well, so he planted a few more the next year.