Heat Helps Oklahoma Vineyards Harvest Sweeter Grapes

Havonnah Johnson, News 9

Oklahoma City, OK--- In normal cases heat wrecks havoc on any crops. The drought coupled with consistent triple degree temperatures is a recipe for disaster, unless you're harvesting grapes.

"The main reason is we have irrigation and when you have irrigation you can control the water," Rachel Odom of Rosebrook Vineyards said.

Odom said you have to be strategic when harvesting Oklahoma's wines because constant heat can hurt vines.

"Being over 100 degrees isn't optimal but the heat helps the grapes produce sugar," Odom said.

The heat in the Sooner state will cause local vineyards to harvest later this year. Harvesting will begin in September instead of August, but Odom said the extra month won't hurt their bottom line.