Some central Virginia vineyards were concerned about losing grapes to April frosts after the area experienced an unusually warm March. The warmer temperatures encouraged the vines to bloom early, which left them vulnerable to damage when it turned cold again. NBC29 visited King Family Vineyard back in April, just as staff were preparing to use helicopters to push warm air down to keep the grapes warm through some cold nights. Managers at the vineyard say they did lose a significant amount of white grapes to the April frosts, particularly viognier, chardonnay and a bit of merlot. They estimate a total of about 5-10 percent of crop loss. That may mean they make a few less cases of wine this year, or that they buy or trade grapes with other vineyards. "Every year is a challenge, and that's why we love growing grapes and making wine in Virginia. Every year is different, and so you have to give what nature gives you," said Carrington King with King Family Vineyards. Right now, the vines are covered with a leafy canopy, and some grape clusters are beginning to form, while others are still in their flowering stage and will bud soon. The vineyard managers have many methods they'll use to tend the grapes for the rest of the summer before beginning to sample them to determine a date for harvest. Source - http://www.nbc29.com/