In about a month, Scott Galbreath III will begin crushing about 160 tons of muscadine grapes.

It’s a tradition the Galbreath family has prepared for each September at the Old South Winery on Concord Avenue since 1979.

&uot;We’re getting ready for the harvest. It’s our 25th anniversary. Not too many people in the small business world make it 25 years,&uot; Galbreath said.

Galbreath’s parents, Dr. Scott and Edeen Galbreath, own the winery. Galbreath started helping them when he was 9 years old and took over the winemaking duties in 1992.

The Galbreaths buy most of their muscadines from other growers in Mississippi, though they recently began restoring a vineyard in Jefferson County.

The muscadines harvested next month will be bottled and sold next spring and summer.

&uot;We’re selling the fruity, fresh flavor of the muscadine grape. It’s a young wine. It takes about eight weeks to ferment, and then ages for about six months,&uot; Galbreath said.

Old South wines have won some lofty recognition. The New York Times rated Old South’s &uot;Miss Scarlet&uot; and &uot;Sweet Magnolia&uot; the best two dessert wines in the United States.

And, the Turner South Network’s &uot;Blue Ribbon&uot; series last year voted Old South one of the three best wineries in the South, Galbreath said.

On Sunday afternoon, a steady stream of customers stepped in from the summer heat to sample the wines.

Larry and Liz Smith made a day trip from Gulfport to see Natchez.

&uot;We were looking for something to do, and the folks at the Visitor Center told us about this,&uot; Liz Smith said.

The Smiths tasted several wines at the bar before buying two bottles to take home.

Old South wines retail for about $6 at package stores around the state. The company also markets New-U, an all-natural dietary supplement made with the seeds and skins of muscadine grapes.

To order products or learn more about Old South Winery, visit online at www.oldsouthwinery.com.