Bottom line of the freeze on Md. wine: Only a quarter of the expected crop was harvested

How bad was the April 21 freeze for fruit growers on the East Coast? More than six months after an unprecedented weather event that saw temperatures plummet to the mid-20s in the mid-Atlantic — and the teens from New York State into Maine, only a few days after they had topped 90 degrees, the numbers are illuminating the full scope of the damage. In Maryland, 43 wineries/vineyards responded to a survey impact report. At a glance, here’s what they reported, according to Janna Howley, the executive director of the state’s wine association. A total of 678 acres were accounted for in the survey; there are around 1,000 acres planted across the state. Of those, 512 acres of vines were damaged, which includes lost fruit and in some cases vines that will have to be replaced. All told, 75% of vineyard and orchard acres were affected.