Local wineries hope upcoming harvest season is more fruitful than the last

EDEN, Md. – “Last year was very challenging and it was probably one of the worst years I’ve had since growing grapes,” said Layton’s Chance winemaker William Layton.

Winemakers here on the eastern shore will be, simply put, holding their breath for the next couple of months as they begin one of the most important steps for wine making: harvesting their grapes.

“As a farmer you’re always optimistic you’re always thinking that this is going to be a great year and hopefully it will be,” said Bordeleau Vineyards and Winery owner Tom Shelton.

Local farmers tell us the unrelenting rain they saw last year put a damper not only on their day, but their production as well. Cutting the amount of grapes they typically harvest, in half.

“Our harvest was down almost 50% from what we had in previous years. They were good grapes out there, we were still able to make some good wine, we just didn’t have anywhere’s near as much of it” said Layton.

As these farmers try to put the devastating year behind them by preparing for the upcoming season, weather concerns are still at the top of their list. Hoping a late frost doesn’t ruin the progress they’ve made so far.

“You can get serious damage to the buds and if that happens then you’re going to hurt your development of fruit later on,” said Shelton.

While the rain we’ve seen lately hasn’t had an effect on the harvesting process so far, experts tell say May will be the month to watch to determine the type of season they’ll have.

“If we get a few weeks of good weather in May, they’ll pollinate just fine and be good. And if we get rain at the wrong time it’ll really hurt it. It’s really a time sensitive thing,” said Layton.

And despite the uncertain future for this season, farmers say whatever happens they know they’ll be prepared.

“We kind of have to look at it that way and say ok I learned something hopefully next time I’m a little more prepared, hopefully next time we don’t have a year as bad as that one but we are more prepared if we do,” said Layton.