The grape belt of our region near Lake Erie is taking a hit when it comes to the vineyards. Thousands of acres of grapes have been damaged this season by weather, leaving farmers with fewer grapes. "We have about 30,000 acres here and it's estimated that roughly 15 to 20 percent of the total acreage was effected by that freeze," Jodi Creasap Gee with the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program said.
A late season freeze in May and above average rainfall and cloudy skies have decreased the grape crop, mostly affecting the concord grape which is planted earlier. This grape is the number one grape produced in our state and is often also used for juice. One concord grape grower in Sheridan is among the many seeing his vineyards producing fewer grapes which will ultimately mean less money at the end of harvest. But at least all the rain has allowed for larger grapes which should help balance some of the lost profit. "Maybe 10 to 15 percent of severe damage in some wine grapes," Gary Burmaster, the owner of Liberty Vineyards & Winery, said. "The berry size is bigger than normal. The size of the berries have increased this year because we have less clusters of grapes and fewer berries per cluster so with this moisture they've increased... we're gonna get some benefits back. And what we're hoping for right now is that we keep getting more sunshine so that we can ripen the grapes themselves."
Many of the vines have recovered. Grape growers say the juice and wine quality will still be high, there just may not be as much quantity. Harvest begins in early September.
Many farmers say they could use extra support with the expected loss of profits, which US Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are pushing for. Some federal aid could be going to the farmers who have seen a severe grape loss.
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