By Elizabeth Sipple and Clare Salerno, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
North Branch Vineyards (NBV) cultivates 4,000 grape vines including 9 varieties on 13.7 acres in Middlesex. Business partners John and Katherine McCann established the vineyard in 2007. NBV’s mission is to produce high quality, unique wines using hybrid grapes grown in their vineyard and selling directly from their tasting room. In a good year, they can produce 16,000 bottles of wine annually from these vines, but not all years are good. For example, in 2021 NBV estimated a $360,000-dollar value-added loss in estate grape production due to deer and birds eating the grapevines.
NBV initially worked with VT Fish & Wildlife on strategies to reduce vineyard damage from deer. When this was not successful, they received a $16,469 Working Lands Business Enhancement Grant in 2022 to install deer fence and bird netting, which has successfully eliminated the deer pressure and reduced losses to birds.
This year, the vines were impacted by the late frost in May and instead of harvesting their goal of 40,000 lbs. of grapes they harvested only 400 lbs. The frost losses meant that this year NBV is buying grapes from another VT grape grower. But on a positive note, NBV was able to purchase and conserve their land this year. Moving forward, they plan to invest in agritourism as a resilience strategy in the face of unpredictable weather events. And, their vines are now safe from deer and birds for years to come.
Working Lands Enterprise Initiative grant applications funding opportunities for businesses are open through January. Other opportunities will reopen in fall 2024. For more information, visit workinglands.vermont.gov
Caption: John McCann of North Branch Vineyards