Though many yards throughout upstate New York are brown and dry, farmers are seeing dismal corn crops and gardens need watering, the grapes at Tug Hill Vineyards are plump and loving the heat.
“Lots of sunshine is the key and warm temperatures. So needless to say, this summer has been a very good summer for grapes,” Susan Maring, co-owner of Tug Hill Vineyards, told MyABC50.com.
Tug Hill Vineyards, located in Lowville, had a tough year last year with all the rain, but according Maring this year is going to be a great year for wine production.
“Last year we had a lot of rain and we didn’t get our grapes up to the brigs levels we wanted them to, basically they didn’t ripen,” said Maring. “This year, we should have no problem what so ever getting it up to where it is. We are about fifteen days ahead of schedule on ripening, so I think it’s going to make a fabulous wine.”
Generally grapes grow best in deep, fertile and well-drained soil. Maring says that this year they have had to water their blueberries and raspberries, but the grapes couldn’t be happier.
That’s because grape vines are a deep rooted plant. They enjoy the sunshine, heat and can obtain their water supply naturally from underneath the ground.
“With grapes, they are very deep rooted. We have read that actually being under a little stress makes for a better wine,” said Maring.
For more information on wine production, Tug Hill Vineyards and to hear from Susan Maring, watch the complete video story.
