Fall is here, bringing a successful end to our 2026 grape-growing season!
Harvest took place in stages as each variety reached ideal ripeness. Our team experienced a difficult harvest season this year, early season rains alongside high levels of humidity meant careful handling to ensure our fruits reach ideal ripeness. With the help of our harvest volunteers we were able to bring in our fruit with minimal issues.
- Traminette: 1000lbs
- Steuben: 6000lbs
- Catawba: 7000lbs
- Cayuga: 2500lbs
- Marquette: 2500lbs
- Chambourcin: First partial yield of 500 lbs
Alongside the nearly 10 tons from our estate vines, we also sourced an additional 18.5 tons of Indiana grapes! We also sourced 7 tons of blackberry, blueberries and persimmons for our fruit wine programs.
Harvest wasn’t without a little excitement as our grape crusher/destemmer threw a bearing halfway through harvest! Thankfully, the rest of our equipment ran seamlessly. A huge special thanks goes out to everyone who jumped in to help repair the parts, and to Butler Winery for generously loaning us a crusher to keep us right on track.
Cheers, Anthony A. Leaderbrand
