On a bluff with sweeping mountain views, about two dozen people gathered Sunday at a Southwest Roanoke County vineyard in communal prayer for a bountiful harvest of the ripening fruit.

Standing on the patio of Valhalla Vineyards, the Rev. Bruce Tuttle of Cave Spring United Methodist Church gave a French-style ecumenical blessing of the 21 acres planted in vines on Mount Chestnut Road.

After Scripture readings, prayers and hymns, Tuttle poured water from a vase into a large bowl for the sixth annual "Blessing of the Vines." In past years, ministers from several churches have joined in the event.

"Typically, when we see the water and hear it splashing, we think of new beginnings ... of God's refreshment," Tuttle said.

As the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina draws near, he reminded the group of the damage wrought by nature's unleashed forces.

"Here, in this valley, we're somewhat insulated from the shocks of the world," he said quietly.

Then, the minister led a procession -- including vineyard owners Debra and James Vascik and their son, Parker -- to a row of viognier grapes. Everyone dipped their hands in the blessed water and sprinkled the clusters of grapes hanging from the vines.

After the ceremony's close as people sampled several wines inside the tasting room, several singers with the six-member group Deo Gloria also flicked water on the grapes. The group, which performs music ranging from a capella to Gregorian chants to Southern gospel, has sung several times at the vineyard blessing and at Christmas events.

"I like the way the Vasciks recognize that God's hand is in the harvest," said one of the performers, Suzanne Sanford.

Salem resident John McCrady said he stumbled across the ceremony when he stopped so his companion, Pat Goray, could photograph the valley views.

He said he enjoyed the ceremony of sprinkling the vines.

"It's a way to encourage that there is always wine to be had," he said.

Another visitor, Mary Smith of Radford, pushing a stroller with her 11-month-old son, Beckett, said, "It's nice to see farms celebrated."

Debra Vascik said Valhalla's harvest for chardonnay, viognier and other white-wine grapes starts about mid-September. Red-wine grapes -- including merlot, cabernet and syrah -- will be harvested in late September to early October.

Along with vagaries in the weather, the vineyard is also subject to shifting economic winds -- including a recent law that bars Virginia wineries from selling directly to restaurants and retail stores. Under the law that took effect in July, Virginia vintners must use distributors, who buy wine from vineyards and resell it to retailers. Vintners can sell directly to customers only from their tasting rooms.

Debra Vascik said their "boutique" winery, which produces about 50 to 60 tons of fruit each year, relies on good weather for a bountiful harvest.

She said storms wiped out the entire crop in 2003. Her family purchased about 200 acres of former peach orchards in 1993, planted the vines and harvested their first crop in 1998.

"We're rolling into one of our wettest times," she said. "This is when we have to be most prayerful."