Thursday’s Tidbit about Grapes

The most recent Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Farm and Market Report Extras indicate positive signs for the Massachusetts’ Wine industry. “There has been a 66 percent increase in overall sales at Massachusetts wineries last year, thanks to sales of wine at farmers’ markets and agricultural events, which were allowed for the first time in 2011.” If you follow this blog regularly, you may recall this past 2011 post http://blog.bilowzassociates.com/2011/02/interest-or-commitment.html regarding legislation finally allowing local vineyards to sell their product at these venues. To make this a success, the general public’s commitment and support of this industry’s efforts would be the deciding factor. Apparently, per another noteworthy tidbit from the MDAR report, your support is making a difference.  “During the 2011 season, 18 local wineries participated at 67 different agricultural events, including 63 farmers’ markets and four agricultural fairs and festivals. Wineries reported an average 66 percent increase in overall sales due to sales from these markets. According to the MDAR survey, sales at farmers’ markets totaled 34,280 bottles of wine – with an approximate value of $514,200.” So that’s the scoop on one of the hottest locally grown products worth checking out as farmers’ markets and Ag fairs start kicking into gear. And to all those in the industry, hats off as growing grapes is a risky business. Alex Lowe provides that extra boost of encouragement. “When you remove the risk, you remove the challenge. When you remove the challenge, you wither on the vine.”  In my book, that’s overall good advice for anyone on this fine, summerlike Thursday morning.  

Grape Image by Greg Bilowz

(P.S. This is the same image I used in the 2011 post, which I failed to credit Greg for the photography.)

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