WESTFIELD, N.Y. (WKBW) — Western New York's grape farmers are celebrating a bountiful harvest this year after last year's devastating frost wiped out half their crop, threatening the region's $6.6 billion grape industry.

In Westfield, the heart of grape country off Lake Erie, farmers like Carl Vilardo of Vilardo Vineyards are grateful for this year's abundant harvest. Vilardo, who has been harvesting grapes for 46 years, said the weather has been much better this season.

"It's been a good year," Vilardo said.

It was another story back on April 25, 2024, when an early morning frost struck. Temperatures dropped to 28 degrees between about 3:30 and 7 a.m., just as the buds on the vines were starting to form.

"It was only three hours' worth of weather at low temperatures," said Jennifer Ph

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