Grape Harvest Troubles

Grape Harvest Troubles

Grape Harvest Troubles. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The cool, damp weather that began the growing season seems to be coming around again and this time the problem is a late harvest. Vicky Scharlau, Executive Director of the Washington Associate of Wine Grape Growers says there is an upside to the late harvest. SCHARLAU: The wine makers are probably more anxious than the wine growers are at this point but I think the wine growers are seeing that while Mother Nature might be taking her time the outcome of that appears to have better quality, more intense lower alcohol level in the grapes which will make for a much better quality overall wine in many winemakers eyes so we're thinking that even though it might be a little cool and a little damp in areas the overall outcome will make this a vintage to remember. There have been some reports of harvesting going on. SCHARLAU: It depends on where you are in the state because in some areas they're really not predicting or seeing that the grapes are overly late and in some areas we're up to two weeks later than would normally be the case. Some areas are seeing culling efforts to get help remaining grapes improve flavor. Average temperatures have been significantly below normal this growing season. Also seasonal workers have been on hold just waiting for the nod to get busy. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.
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