The grape that came in from the cold: Celebrating 20 years of Marquette

Twenty years ago, a star was launched in the labs and vineyards of the University of Minnesota — and it had nothing to do with Hollywood.

In 2006, the University officially introduced the Marquette grape. At the time, growing high-quality red wine in the frozen North was a bit like trying to grow pineapples in the tundra: a lovely dream, but biologically optimistic. This breakthrough was decades in the making, beginning with the initial inter-species hybrid cross in 1989 and the eventual "discovery" of the Marquette selection in 1997 — a timeline that illustrates the patience and persistence required to breed a new grape.

Fast forward to 2026, and the Marquette grape has done more than just survive Minnesota winters; it has sparked a viticultural revolution.

“Marquette has almost by itself created a cold-climate wine industry in the northern tier of U.S., Canada, and soon plantings will be made in northern Europe,” says Drew Horton, an enology specialist at the University of Minnesota’s Grape Breeding and Enology project.

Before Marquette, northern growers often struggled with varieties that either succumbed to the deep freeze or produced wines that were interesting but lacked the complexity of classic European reds. Enter the UMN scientists. Using traditional breeding methods and a whole lot of patience, they crossed varieties like Pinot Noir with hardy wild vines. The result was a super-grape that can withstand temperatures as low as -30°F.

But Marquette isn’t just tough; it’s tasty. With notes of cherry, black pepper, and spice, it produces a medium-bodied, ruby-red wine that can hold its own against famous cousins like Merlot or Syrah.

By merging world-class science with an entrepreneurial spirit, the UMN breeding program didn't just give us a new grape — it gave us a new economy. Today, family-owned vineyards and bustling tasting rooms dot the landscapes of the Midwest and Northeast, supporting local growers and boosting rural tourism in places where wine production was once thought impossible.

As we approach National Wine Day on May 25, there is no better time to raise a glass to the researchers, students and growers who made this possible. Whether you’re enjoying a bottle from a local Minnesota winery or a vineyard in Quebec, you’re tasting years of UMN innovation.

So, this May 25, let’s toast to the grape that put the North on the world wine map. Cheers to 20 years of Marquette!