Grape Growing in the North East and Mid Atlantic Regions

[Thomas]

Sorry Michael, just saw your post.

Re, vineyard as opposed to winery: suffice to say that most producers who operate a vineyard and a winery keep the bookkeeping separate mainly because the vineyard is generally a losing agricultural endeavor. I know someone on Keuka Lake who believes he can make money growing and selling grapes, but what he fails to look at is the value of his time and labor (which all farmers do) plus the vagaries of the Finger Lakes climate. For instance, in 1992 we had a miserable vintage; it was so bad that I could not secure grapes for my small winery. That helped to push me out of business, and it helped to force a few small grape growers into serious financial difficulty.

In the U.S. in general, it costs more to grow grapes than it does for Europeans to sell us finished wine in a bottle. Winegrowing is subsidized in many European countries. Here, it is the only agricultural product that gets absolutely no federal government subsidy.

One more thing: grapegrowing is not a seasonal occupation. The vineyard is tended all year round.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 07-04-2002).]