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Wine Institute: 2016 California Wine Harvest Report

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Published
10/20/2016 by

The 2016 California winegrape harvest was early, with a mostly normal yield of exceptional quality fruit throughout the state.  A relatively even growing season followed welcome winter rains that helped to alleviate the drought.  "It's been a good season so far—the grapes are in great condition, showcasing spectacular flavors," saidRandy Ullom, winemaster at Kendall-Jackson Wines, with vineyards inSonoma County and statewide.  Cathy Corison, owner/winemaker at Corison Winery in Napa Valley is equally pleased: "2016 was early, small and delicious.  The entire ripening season enjoyed cooler than average daytime highs and cold nights—perfect for inky, complex wines. Measured in pace, it was also easy on the winemakers."

The overall state crop was estimated to be near the historical average of 3.9 million tons by the California Department of Food and Agriculture in August 2016.

"Anticipated El Niño rainfall was less than hoped for (eight inches) in Paso Robles, but still greater than the prior four vintages of drought, and appears to have had a positive effect on yields and quality in our Bordeaux and Rhone varietals in 2016," said Jeff Meier, director of winemaking/president, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines.  "Yield projections for 2016 were slightly below long-term averages, but most varieties are coming in at or above estimates—a welcome outcome for Paso Robles growers.  Overall, the vintage of 2016 is delivering high quality, high color density Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the cooler microclimates and fruit-intensive Rhone varietals."

In Lodi, Michael David Winery hit the halfway mark at the end of September.  "The harvest pace was steady and extremely level with little peaks of chaos.  Small heat spikes followed by fairly moderate weather pushed sugars up in vineyards where needed and then allowed time for growers and wineries to get fruit off in a timely manner, without major fruit breakdown or raisining.  Fruit looks exceptional so far—probably the cleanest Zinfandel crop I have seen in some time.  The wines are coming out beautifully, and it's another fantastic harvest in Lodi," said Adam Mettler, director of winemaking.

"Here in Santa Barbara, we have seen another early harvest, and much of the Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc was harvested in the last two weeks of August," said Frank Ostini, owner/winemaker of Hitching Post Wines.  "We had a very warm spring and early summer, but July and August brought cool nights and gentle warmth that allowed the medium-sized crop to mature perfectly—small berries in pristine condition. We are excited to be making some of our best-ever balanced wines with fine color and intensity."

"The 2016 harvest in Sonoma County looks a lot like the 2015 harvest," saidRyan Decker, winegrower at Rodney Strong Vineyards.  "We started early, we will finish early, and the winemakers are very excited with what they are seeing in the fermenters. One of the main differences— a welcome one—was the seven to 10-day break we had between the Pinot/Chardonnay harvest and the Merlot/Cabernet harvest.  This year we had some unseasonably cool temperatures in mid-September that put the brakes on harvest, albeit temporarily, allowing us to free up some tank space.  The yields are down just a bit from the long-term average, but wine quality looks to be stellar."

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