Late Frost Damages Maryland Grape Crop

The Maryland Department of Agriculture said Wednesday that a late spring frost has caused significant losses to the state’s 2026 grape crop, damaging vines after they had already begun to bud and threatening both yield and quality across vineyards.

The frost hit after an early stage of growth had started, leaving growers with extensive damage in a season that had already been vulnerable to weather swings. The department did not give a statewide estimate of the losses, but said the impact was serious enough to affect grape production in multiple parts of Maryland.

State agriculture officials said they are working with local vineyards and agricultural experts to assess how much of the crop was lost and what recovery steps may help growers limit further damage. The department said farmers should contact it for information on assistance programs and for guidance on how to manage frost damage in their vineyards.

Maryland’s grape industry includes growers who supply fruit for wine production, juice and other uses, and the loss comes at a time when many vineyards are trying to protect young buds from increasingly unpredictable spring weather. The department said it will keep monitoring conditions and continue supporting growers as they respond to the damage.