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Turrentine Harvest Update

Turrentine Harvest Update: September 16th, 2014

North Coast: Mike Needham & Alicia Kump

  • Sparkling: Started in Napa Valley at the end of July, which is earlier than last year by 10 to 14 days.  Yields vary depending on region from light to average.

Napa

  • Overall crop yields appear to be similar to 2013 or above estimates.
  • Sauvignon Blanc is almost done, yields above estimates.
  • Napa Valley Chardonnay, yields picking out above estimates.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon clusters appear to be sizing nicely. Most brix are in the low 20’s currently.

Sonoma

  • Overall, yields have been inconsistent for varieties already picked.  Some growers who had large 2012 and 2013 are under estimate if they didn’t water enough or fertilize.  Those who irrigated regularly and fertilized have similar yields to 2013 or just below.
  • Pinot Noir crop appears to have more clusters than last year but smaller cluster and berry size. Pinot Noir is about 15-20% picked.
  • Chardonnay vineyards located in cooler areas such as Russian River and Sonoma Coast are about 5% picked.
  • Wineries have started picking Chardonnay in Dry Creek and Alexander Valley; yields have been inconsistent.
  • Wineries have scheduled Merlot and other red blenders to be picked, which is about 2 to 3 weeks earlier than 2013.
  • Mildew pressure has been high in Sonoma County during the summer months. Mildew has been an issue for certain varieties (Petite Sirah, Chardonnay, Merlot) if growers weren’t regular on their spray programs.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon clusters look good, Brix are around 21-22 degrees in Sonoma County.

Mendocino

  • Overall, Mendocino County is picking out 10-25% lighter than 2013 on all varieties so far.
  • Chardonnay has been picking out lighter than expectations.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon harvest is underway and crop size is slightly below expectations.

Lake County

  • Sauvignon Blanc yields looked lighter than expectations.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon yields are same as 2013 for the amount that has been picked so far.

Monterey/San Benito County: Erica Moyer

  • Monterey Pinot Noir harvest has begun, 2 weeks ahead of 2013.  Quality and Yields look great!
  • Chardonnay harvest should begin in a week in Monterey; yields expected to be average to average plus.
  • Chardonnay and Pinot Noir yields are below 2013 in San Benito County.

Lodi/Delta: Erica Moyer

  • Chardonnay and Pinot Noir harvest is wrapping up. Yields were up for the Delta and down in Lodi, for the most part.
  • Zinfandel is half the crop as last year.
  • Merlot, same yields as 2013.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon harvest has started.  Expected yields are down from projection, mostly older vineyards, where some young vineyards are picking out at to above estimates.

Central Valley: Erica Moyer

  • Rubired, normally harvested in October is being harvested in September.
  • Overall, yields are down 20-50% on all varieties from 2013 due to water and heat stress in parts of the Central-Southern Interior.
  • Stanislaus-Merced County yields are average, with some above average yields for Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir.
  • Young blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon yields are expected to be at estimate or above.

San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County: Audra Cooper

  • Chardonnay yields in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County are close to estimates.
  • Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County has once again produced a larger than average crop and once again could be hovering around a historical high, harvest is likely to be done in 10-14 days.
  • Merlot yields in Paso Robles vary from below average to average. Merlot continues to be harvested in Paso Robles and will likely be closing in on 50% completion by next week.
  • Overall, the numbers of clusters are there for a large crop but the cluster weights are not.