CLEVELAND - One of Northeast Georgia's pioneer vineyards will be closing. David Harris, a California-trained winemaker and owner of White County's Blackstock Vineyards made the public announcement with an email Thursday night.
In the correspondence to customers and friends, Harris said he was saddened to inform them of the decision, saying "It has been a wonderful experience."
He further stated. "In the end, we have suffered from repeated crop losses due to the exceptionally warm winters and the early bud-break dates. This has resulted in normal frost dates having a devastating effect to our crop. We have also felt the sting from selling fruit in a soft economy and the importation of grapes and wine into Georgia wineries, eroding our market when the crop was plentiful."
Harris said the fate of the business essentially was sealed on April 12, 2012 when another late-season frost hit the area.
Harris established the vineyard in 1996.
In the email, Harris said "Personally, I have been blessed with another opportunity for which I am passionate and thankful. Unfortunately, it is going to take me away from Georgia."
Monday
May 5th, 2025
12:07PM
