Missouri's grape crop will be short this year, due to a harsh winter and late, wet spring.

But, the crop is yielding some of the highest quality fruit in years, said a Missouri Department of Agriculture official.

The grape harvest is under way, and some varieties are yielding only half of their normal production, said Larry Knipp, coordinator of the state's grape and wine program.

The decline, said Knipp, comes at a time when Missouri can ill afford a grape shortage. Demand for Missouri wines and juices already out paces the state's grape supply.

Twice in the past three years, the state has suffered a grape shortfall. Missouri wineries produce about 300,000 gallons of wine a year, highest annual production since Prohibition.

More than 2.5 million people -- half of them from out-of-state, visit Missouri's 34 registered wineries.