Grape Harvest Comes Early For New Jersey Wineries

By David Madden

SHAMONG, NJ (CBS) - Grapes are being harvested in South Jersey wineries now a little earlier than usual.

The hot summer is welcomed at the Valenzano Winery in Shamong, where Anthony Valenzano is carrying on the family tradition.

But while the fruit on the vine is of high quality, "Harvests are going to be very, very low -- very short this year, because with the rain in the last couple weeks that's causing us to do a lot of cluster thinning, which is going to significantly reduce the amount of crop that we harvest."

That will affect the wine you buy two to three years down the line. Current stock is plentiful and Valenzano works to keep prices in check despite year-to-year supply fluctuations. Besides, he's getting ready for the family's 10th annual WineFest featuring product from a half-dozen wineries scheduled for this weekend.

For more information on WineFest, click here.