A brutal frost just wiped out swaths of this year’s grape crop across Virginia and Maryland — dealing a major blow to the region’s fast-growing wine industry.
Why it matters: A late-April freeze killed fragile buds, slashing yields for wineries big and small — with millions of dollars in losses and fewer local bottles hitting shelves in the future.
The big picture: An early warm spell pushed vines to bud weeks ahead of schedule. Then temperatures plunged just before Earth Day, causing a devastating late-season frost.
- Early-blooming grapes like chardonnay were hit hardest; later varietals like cabernet sauvignon fared better.
- Virginia’s wine industry alone is worth over $8 billion annually, with tourism and hospitality driving much of that impact.
- Smaller wineries with thin margins could feel the pain most.
State of play: Wineries across the region are reporting steep losses. Many are taking to social media to share damage — and urge customer support. A snapshot:
- New Kent Winery near Richmond lost up to 90% of its crop. The Monticello region, lower Shenandoah and Loudoun were particularly hard hit.
- Black Ankle Vineyards in Maryland suffered 100% bud loss across 100 acres, projecting $10 million in lost revenue.
Between the lines: Higher elevations suffered less. For example, Ankida Ridge, a premier winery in the Blue Ridge Mountains, was spared…