Frost Devastates California Grapes

By Growing Produce Staff|May 10, 2011

In early April, temperatures in California’s Central Coast region dropped below freezing three days in a row, and according to the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, there could be a 50% grape crop loss in the area.

According to a story on Decanter.com, earlier varieties such as Pinot Noir and white grapes were affected by the record cold temperatures. “The length of time temperatures were at or below freezing on April 8, 9, and 10 was the greatest the region has experienced in the last 10 years,” Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance executive director Stacie Jacob told Decanter.com. “Although growers have a wide array of best management practices, which were fully executed, Mother Nature was in full control.”

Jacob added that there may be federal financial support for those growers affected. “We won’t know this until May or June, once reporting is complete and the full impact is understood,” she said.

Read the full story here.

Source: decanter.com