Cold Benefits Davison County's Wine Growers

With Fewer Insects To Spread Disease, Next Year's Crop Could Be Larger

DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. -- Bitter cold in place across much of the country is wreaking havoc on folks working outdoors, but local winemakers said the temperatures are actually benefiting this year's grape crop.

Mark Friszolowski of Childress Vineyards said the cold helps the grape vines by killing off any potentially harmful insects. That translates into more grapes to harvest later this year.

"They carry a vine disease in the mouth parts of the grasshopper, and it can hop from plants to the vine and spread disease that's prevalent in North Carolina that's called Pierce's disease. And with this cold temperature it will knock down the population," Friszolowski said.

Friszolowski did warn that if temperatures stay in the 20s for extended periods of time, it can cause problems for the vines.

The North Carolina wine industry has exploded in recent years, with the state boasting more than 80 wineries.