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Oct 14, 2008 10:41 am US/Eastern

Rising Costs, Bad Weather Plague L.I. Wineries

NEW YORK (AP) ― Long Island wineries said this year's grape growing season was one of the worst in recent memory.

Grape growers said their crop yield is off between 10 percent and 50 percent, depending on the location and grape.

The problems began with a frost in May and continued on through the growing season, with heavy rains, hail and wide temperature swings. Despite the problems, wine makers said their grape quality has not been compromised.

The rising cost of fertilizer, diesel gasoline and oak barrels are other challenges they are facing. Some growers are deciding to begin harvesting grapes earlier this month to avoid potential bad weather.

Despite the problems, most of the region's wine makers said business has been brisk enough to offset the cost increases and crop decline.

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