2012 California Winegrape Looks Fantastic
October 22, 2012 Growers and vintners alike should soon be celebrating the end of one beautiful winegrape harvest. The crop should come in somewhere around 3.7 million tons, according to the state’s Agricultural Statistics Service.
Nat DiBuduo, CEO and president of Allied Grape Growers, says he’s seen nothing to contradict that prediction. In fact, though a 3.7 million ton crop would be tied for the second largest ever — just behind the record-smashing year of 2005 — DiBuduo thinks it might end up being even bigger.
“The yields are much higher than growers have seen the last several years,” says DiBuduo, who serves on American/Western Fruit Grower’s editorial advisory board. “But the quality is also great all over California because of a long, hot summer.”
It’s no time for growers to get too cull of themselves, however, warns DiBuduo. It’s a good time to review those winery contracts to make sure they don’t get squeezed themselves, whether now or in the future. Many areas are coming in heavier than expected, especially the North Coast and the North Interior, and funny things happen when space is at a premium.
“Wineries are filling up, but it’s amazing how they can make room when the price for more grapes goes down,” DiBuduo says wryly.
With the exception of the Central Coast, which is down only slightly, all areas of the state are seeing higher than average yields, and the quality might be something special. “Winemakers are already talking about a good vintage year,” he says. “We’re all kind of excited this year.”
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