OVID, NY -- Hot weather may be uncomfortable for most people, but for local wineries this years sizzling summer is producing a bumper crop of grapes.
Susie Challen owner of the Cayuga Ridge Winery, in Ovid, says the warm temperatures are ripening the grapes on the vines ahead of schedule . " At this rate are probably going to be harvesting in September instead of October. So it means we will have nice weather at harvest time," she says.
Not only are the sunshine and warm temperatures speeding up the growing season, Challen says they will eventually give the grapes more flavor when they are produced. " The sunshine increases the sugars and lowers the acids and in the end you end up with a really great wine. So it is really good things are happening this way," she says.
For more information, visit the Cayuga Wine Trail website.
