Growwine Members Biographies
New York State
John Zurlo is a retired teacher who was smitten with the grape on an extended vacation trip with his wife Mary to Italy's Tuscany region several years ago. He was so impressed with the vineyards and grape-growing that he decided to start a small vineyard when he returned home.
John's two year old vineyard is in Champlain, New York which is located on the United States/Canadian border 40 miles south of Montreal. It has 100 vines consisting of a selection of 10 exceptionally cold hard hybrid grape varieties that were developed by the master, Elmer Swenson, and purchased from Lake Sylvia Vineyards in South Haven, Minnesota. A majority of the grapes are for both red and white wine selections, however several varieties are table grapes. He plans to add an aditional 50 vines this spring.
The trellising and wires are up for these hardy vines and John is hoping that they will survive their second winter unscathed as they did in the previous winter with no special care. He hopes to be giving grapes to his winemaking friends and toasting with his own homemade wine in several years.
John Zurlo
www.littlefatwino.com