Cool Weather May Affect Local Wines

Davenport Winery Expects To Produce 38 Different Wines

EUDORA, Kan. -- Below normal temperatures over the summer may have an affect on your favorite bottle of wine.

"Berries are as big as quarters and easy to pick," said Greg Shipe of Davenport Winery in Eudora.

Shipe said picking was a pleasure because of cool down in July, August, September and October.

"Oh yes, we enjoyed it. We didn't have to run for cover when it got 100 degrees," Shipe said.

But along with cool summer weather, Kansas City also had its share of clouds and rainfall.

"To make sugar, it takes a lot of sunlight and if you don't have any sunlight, they just sit there waiting," Shipe said.

That means the grapes this year were a little different.

"They are not as sweet. So in making wine, we had to add some sugar to come," Shipe said.

Different grapes may also mean different wines.

"We did notice some different flavors, and some of them are quiet nice. So it may not be bad," Shipe said.

Davenport will produce 38 different wines and about 20,000 bottles from this year's harvest. Most will be ready by the spring.