In Loudoun County, DC’s Wine Country®, sustainability and community go hand in hand. Which is why, in March and April, hundreds of community volunteers hit the vines to save the grape from the invasive and ubiquitous Spotted Lanternfly.
Scrape for the Grape™: Keep Loudoun’s Vineyards Spotted-less campaign was established in 2024 to combat the invasive bug and protect vineyards, fruit trees, and other crops from its destructive impact.
A registered trademark of Visit Loudoun, Scrape for the Grape™ was launched through a partnership between Visit Loudoun, the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance (LIRA), Loudoun County, the Virginia Cooperative Extension of Loudoun County and the Loudoun Wineries & Winegrowers Association. In 2026, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy joined the campaign as a partner to support expanded outreach and volunteer engagement, while Amazon serves as a sponsor.
Participating wineries include Bleu Frog Vineyards, Casanel Vineyards and Winery, Domaine Fortier Vineyards, Fleetwood Farm Winery, Kalero Vineyard and the Wine Reserve at Waterford.
Residents of all ages are invited to participate from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 21, April 4 and April 12 at 16 wineries and vineyards, Ida Lee Park and the HOAs of developments East Stratford and The Reserve at Rokeby Farm.
“Loudoun’s vineyards are not only a source of economic vitality but also a cherished part of our identity,” said Beth Erickson, President and CEO of Visit Loudoun. “It’s inspiring to see this community effort grow each year, uniting residents to protect Loudoun’s agritourism and DC’s Wine Country®.”
Volunteers are trained to identify Spotted Lanternfly egg masses and destroy them using credit-card-sized scrapers. Each egg mass eliminated prevents dozens of Lanternflies from emerging later in the spring to feed on sap from the vines and severely damage or kill them. Participants also learn to identify the invasive Tree of Heaven, the Lanternfly’s preferred host plant. These plants are marked for removal at a later date.
Since the campaign began, nearly 1,200 Scrape for the Grape™ volunteers have prevented an estimated 9 million Spotted Lanternflies from hatching in Loudoun, an extraordinary example of how empowered community science can deliver measurable community impact.
“Many of our volunteers have already experienced firsthand how rewarding and impactful this effort can be,” said Tom Kercheval, Executive Director of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. “We’re so proud to join as an official partner and help engage even more residents in protecting Loudoun’s agricultural heritage.”
As a thank-you to volunteers, several of the participating wineries will offer special discounts to volunteers who present their Scrape for the Grape bandana, commemorative T-shirt or scraping card, all of which are provided. Mom’s Apple Pie gives Spotted-Lanternfly-shaped cookies to the kids who participate.
“The Spotted Lanternfly is a huge threat to our vineyards and our livelihood,” said Bill Hatch, owner of Zephaniah Farm Vineyard. “My hope is that Scrape for the Grape will continue to build awareness of the threat that all invasive species have on farming and on the beautiful Loudoun natural environment.”
Interested volunteers can learn more and register at LoudounInvasives.com.
