Grand Traverse region wineries won't have much to celebrate come harvest time this year.
Sam Simpson, general manager of Good Harbor Vineyards in Lake Leelanau, expects to lose 70 to 90 percent of the vineyards' fruit this year. Higher quality grapes that trace their lineage back to Europe are in the worst shape.
Harsh winter weather devastated vines in many vineyards.
They’re a bit more optimistic at Bowers Harbor on Old Mission Peninsula. Kristy McClellan, the winery’s director of operations, said she hopes for a 60 to 70 percent harvest, but is preparing for just 40 to 50 percent of normal.
Some vines died on Old Mission Peninsula, but the biggest hit to fledgling winery Hawthorne Vineyards will be the lack of fruit come harvest time.
“It was terrible. It was brutal,” said Jan Van Maanen, Hawthorne’s tasting room manager. “They’re going to be doing a lot of rebuilding of the vineyards this season. It’s going to be critical to get everyone back to a healthy state.”
Source - http://www.record-eagle.com/
