Right around the holidays, the customers at Old Firehouse Winery start to see pink.
Pink Catawba, that is.
The rose-colored wine is an Old Firehouse favorite, especially for stocking stuffers and holiday gift-giving, but a critical shortage of Catawba grapes could put the “pink cat” out of commission for a year, winery owner Don “Woody” Woodward said.
“For the first time in our 20-plus years, the eastern region of the United States is suffering from a temporary Catawba grape shortage,” Woodward said. “The worse case scenario is that we may run out of Pink Catawba early next summer.”
While a grape shortage today means no pink wine by summer, Woodward said it will affect holiday wine shoppers, too.
“We know that many of our customers were hoping that the ‘Pink Cat’ would be on sale during the holiday season,” Woodward said. “Obviously, we do not have the inventory to discount Pink Catawba, although one of our wines will be on sale.”
Woodward said together the pink and white Catawba wines are the best sellers at the winery.
Donniella Winchell, executive director of Ohio Wine Producers' Association, said a hard freeze is to blame for the shortage.
“The freeze hit the entire Lake Erie region and a good part of the Finger Lakes and parts of Michigan, so there is a regional shortage of Catawba grapes,” she said.
Winchell said wineries — and wine lovers — will feel the affects of the shortage.
“The hit will be significant, primarily because those consumers who love Catawba will be disappointed in the shortage,” she said.
Woodward said the employees at the Old Firehouse Winery are hoping for the best, but planning for the worst.
“While we are still hopeful we can get some Catawba, so far we have not been very successful,” he said. “The best case scenario is that we will not be making any white Catawba and putting it all into pink. Hopefully, the 2010 growing year will be back to normal.”
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Good-bye pink
Ohio faces Catawba grape shortage, wine production suffers
- Local News
-
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
-
Teenager accused of making threats to ’Bula school boss
A 16-year-old boy was arrested after he reportedly threatened the superintendent of the Ashtabula Area City Schools district during a meeting earlier this week, sheriff deputies said.
-
OHP will add 180 troopers to ranks in fall
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is looking for a few good men and women to join its ranks, trooper and recruiter Alan Dunbar said, and will hire 180 cadets this fall.
-
Conneaut man cited in crash that injured five people
A city man has been cited in a Tuesday afternoon traffic crash that injured five people, according to Police Chief Charles Burlingham.
-
Commissioners award county jail upgrade project
Commissioners on Tuesday awarded the county jail upgrade project to Grunwell-Cashero Co., a Cleveland business incorporated in Michigan.
-
Paving work to begin in ’Bula, more streets on list
Paving work soon will begin after City Council approved the city manager’s request Monday night to contract with Ronyak Brothers of Burton for $130,000 less than expected for the work.
-
Ashtabula County Community Action employees help elderly, disabled
Newman Rocco Sr. was resting in his recliner Wednesday morning when he saw the caravan of cars and pickups arrive across the street.
-
Virginia Rand delivers her last Star Beacon after 33 years
After more than 33 years, Virginia Rand has folded her last newspaper.
-
Harpersfield group needs help and donations for cleanup
The Harpersfield Covered Bridge Metropark needs some hard workers and green thumbs to help clean up and beautify the park, Friends of the Covered Bridge Metropark chairwoman Denise Weinmann said.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
