FORESTVILLE, NY (August 8, 2011) - Merritt Winery has announced that they will be offering $300 per ton for Concord grapes this fall.  Merritt is appealing to local farmers in the Lake Erie region to obtain additional premium grapes.

            The winery is seeking to buy 150 tons of Concords this season. In order to receive this price, the Concord grapes must be at least 16% sugar and meet other quality standards. Merritt wants to offer a better price per ton for Concords in hopes of attracting premium fruit for their wines.

            "As our Bella Rosa gains popularity with consumers, we have to produce more Concord based wine than in the past," states William Merritt, owner of Merritt Estate Winery. "By offering higher prices to grape farms from the area, we hope to stimulate our county's economy and keep the grapes local, something Merritt has always prided itself on."

Interested grape growers should contact Merritt Estate Winery at 716-965-4800. For more information on Merritt news and events, visit www.merrittestatewinery.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/merrittwinery.

Merritt Estate is located in America's Grape Country, the largest grape growing region of New York State located along the shores of Lake Erie. The grapes and wines produced under Merritt rival the quality of premium vintages throughout the world.