The Swenson Red Grape, 'Vitis 'Swenson Red', has large, round red fruit with a fine, sweet flavor and high sugar content. This is a delicious, crisp table grape, hardy dessert grape, or a distinctive white wine can be made from juice pressed without the skins. The Swenson Red has vigorous productive vines that are hardy to -30°F. It ripens in early September. Its pleasant mild flavor is closer to that of vinifera than labrusca grapes. The leaves are shiny and free of pubescence, making Swenson Red an attractive vine for a high visibility area. This grape tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but must have good drainage.

Grapes are primarily grown for fruit production in home fruitgardens where they provide good ornamental value: bold summer foliage, showy fruit, some fall color and shaggy, twisted trunking and branching often best seen in winter. Grapes need a good support system like fences, walls, trellises, arbors or other structures. The grape vines can be quite attractive year-round and can provide good cover, screening, or shade to areas around the home. Grapes need full sunlight and high temperatures to ripen, so plant on southern slopes, the south side of windbreaks, or the south sides of buildings. Considered to be a good grape for juices and jellies. Birds love grapes, so be sure to plant some to share.