Every vineyard season tells a different story, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more challenging growing seasons we have experienced since planting our first vines in 2001. A combination of factors has affected vineyards throughout our region, and Hiddencroft has not been immune. Last season, our vines endured unusually heavy pressure from Spotted Lantern Flies. While the insects rarely kill established grapevines outright, large populations can weaken vines by feeding on their sap late into the growing season. Many of our vines entered winter under greater stress than normal. Winter then delivered another challenge. Several periods of exceptionally cold temperatures caused more vine injury and vine…