Turkey Point Vineyard set to close at end of year

NORTH EAST — The owners of Turkey Point Vineyard have started the process of shutting down the family-owned and operated grape growing and wine making business, citing rising costs in the industry.

Doris Behnke, who with her husband Eric and children, have owned Turkey Point Vineyard since 2008,

“The world has changed, people have changed and the industry has changed,” Behnke said. “Due to the input costs, labor costs, an unpredictable industry, and the fact that you can’t make money selling grapes, we have decided to dissolve the business and end our LLC.”

On seven acres in the verdant Elk Neck area they grew various types of grapes and produced 12 different wines and one sparkling wine:

Dry Wines: Merlot, Cabernet Franc and ChardonnaySemi-Dry Wines: Lighthouse White (Chardonnay/Vidal), Elk Neck Gold (Valvin Muscat)Semi-Sweet Wines: Rose’, Vidal Blanc, Peachy Keen (Peach Chardonnay)Dessert Wines: Ambrosia (Sweet Vidal), Midnight Delight (Blackberry Merlot).

Over the years, Turkey Point Vineyard has received many Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and Best in Class trophies from competing in the Comptroller’s Cup and the Governor’s Cup Wine Competitions. Their award winning wines have been enjoyed by many over the years, and are available for you to try if you have not experienced their wines.

Behnke says Lighthouse White is a customer favorite, along with the Merlot, Peachy Keen and a strawberry chocolate Merlot named Triple Treat. If you have a favorite, get it soon because wine sales will end in December or when supplies run out.

Go to https://turkeypointvineyard.com/ to order.

The Behnkes opened a wine tasting room at 116 South Main St. in North East in 2014 and operated there until deciding to make the vineyard a venue, moving the tasting room out to Turkey Point Road in 2022.

“We will shut our business doors at the end of December this year. We will remove the grape vines to regain the seven acres where we will have a family garden and beef cattle,” Behnke said, adding there may be a few other animals.