USDA: Washington Wine Grape Production Up In 2013

Posted by Christina Herrick|March 7, 2014

Washington’s 2013 wine grape production totaled 210,000 tons, up 12% from 2012.

Overall, production of red varieties was up 13% from last year compared to a 10% increase in the production of white varieties. Of the top four producing varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon showed the largest increase, up 19% from 2012.

Growers received an average of $1,110 per ton for all varieties in 2013, up $70 from last year. Of all the published varieties, Grenache received the highest price per ton at $1,889.

White varieties in 2013 accounted for 49 percent of the total production, a slight decrease from 2012. Cabernet Sauvignon was the top-producing variety grown in the State at 42,600 tons or 20% of the total. Chardonnay was ranked second, at 40,500 tons or 19% of the total. In third place was White Riesling with 40,100 tons or 19% of the total. Merlot ranked fourth with 36,000 tons or 17% of the total.

The average Cabernet Sauvignon price increased $103 per ton from last year to $1,440 and the average Chardonnay price was up $12 per ton from 2012 to $916. Growers received an average of $796 per ton for White Riesling, $13 more than 2012. The average Merlot price increased $82 per ton from last year to $1,186.