Centre County Winery’s Grape Harvest Shows ‘Devastating’ Effects of Spring Freeze

A late-April freeze that caused significant damage to fruit crops across Pennsylvania had long-reaching effects that remained evident at Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery on Sept. 15, when staff and volunteers gathered to harvest what remained of the 2026 grape crop.

Only about one-third of the winery’s 6 acres of vineyard at 300 Houser Road in Harris Township produced enough grapes to make harvesting practical, according to the business.

“The late-April freeze had a devastating effect on our production,” Linda Weaver, owner of Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery, said. “We were fortunate to have enough grapes survive to make a harvest possible, but losing two-thirds of our grapes represents a substantial loss for our small family business.”

After a late-winter and early-spring warm-up caused crops to begin growing, temperatures plummeted into the 20s on April 21, leaving serious damage for fruit and specialty crop growers around Pennsylvania, projected to total $150 million to $200 million.

Fruit growers around Centre County felt the impacts.

In July, Jason Coopey, co-owner of Way Fruit Farm in Halfmoon Township, estimated a 50% loss of apples, but a near total loss of stone fruits, with 20 acres of peach orchards producing only about 25 pounds of fruit.

“It’s going to be a challenging year,” Coopey said at the time.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Tommy Nagle said in July that 65% of the bureau’s members who were surveyed about the freeze reported a 75% loss, while 29% reported a total loss.

To help growers recover from financial losses caused by the freeze, lawmakers included a $10 million Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant program in the 2026-27 state budget.

Eligible specialty crops that produced 30% less than expected due to freeze damage qualified for the program, according to the state Department of Agriculture, which accepted applications through Sept. 21. Grants will be awarded on a per-acre basis according to the total number of acres of eligible specialty crop trees, bushes and vines in production.

The assistance was welcome news for producers like Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery that faced a year of expenses with severely reduced harvest income. Still, though, the grants will not make growers whole for their losses.

Weaver said she is grateful to the employees and staff who came together to harvest what remained this month, and to everyone who has supported the business through a challenging year.

“The support of our employees, volunteers and customers means a great deal to us,” Weaver saiid. “We are hopeful that next year’s growing season will bring a return to a normal harvest.”