Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/101495
VINTAGE 2012 Merced and Mariposa counties Merced County started the year with some scattered frost damage, but it was neither severe nor widespread. Bunch counts were down for a few cultivars. On April 12 we had a severe hailstorm that damaged fruit and nut crops in a narrow strip that ran south of Atwater to north of Merced. A few vineyards had yields significantly reduced as a result. Pests/diseases: Even though only a small corner of Merced County was CALIFORNIA Mariposa County���San Benito County affected, we were relieved to have the European grapevine moth quarantine lifted. We hope we have seen the last of it. Temperatures were ideal for powdery mildew, but growers kept up their control programs, and I heard of no situations where it caused damage. The dry spring resulted in no phomopsis damage to new shoots. Overall pest and disease pressure was low in 2012.�� Supply/demand: No one in Merced County had trouble selling grapes. Some growers in Mariposa County reported a Caroline Hoogenboom Napa - Sonoma Cell. (707) 364-6334 caroline@ermitageusa.com Amy Lee Oregon - Washington Central coast of California Cell. (509) 995-2771 amy@ermitageusa.com Vincent Garry Sales Director Cell. (707) 225-2105 vincent@ermitageusa.com Office: Tel: (707) 224-2377 Fax: (707) 224-2390 433 Soscol Avenue Suite B151 Napa, California 94559 - USA 102 W in es & V i ne s JANUARY 20 13 Parc d���activit��s des Bertranges - 58400 La Charit��-sur-Loire - France Tel. + 33 3 86 69 43 79 | FAX + 33 3 86 69 67 47 | www.tonnellerie-ermitage.com french oak dominos very early harvest with low pest and disease pressure. Due to the great distances to wineries out of the area, a couple of growers had trouble selling their crops. Most others had no trouble. Yields were down for a few growers. Maxwell Norton Farm advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension Napa County Napa County growers were blessed with a beautiful growing season in 2012. They started the season with adequate soil moisture and did not experience any damaging frost events. Favorable weather during bloom and fruit set yielded an above-normal crop. The area did not experience any unusual pest or disease pressure during the season. Growers and winemakers were pleased with fruit quality. Weather: There were very few spring frost events, favorable weather during bloom and even temperatures during the growing season through harvest. Pests/diseases: Napa continues to be under quarantine regulations for European grapevine moth, although no economic damage was experienced; vine mealybug and leafroll disease were challenging in some areas. Supply/demand: Above-normal yields with healthy demand for grapes. Logistics: Tank space was challenging due to above-normal yields. Monica Cooper Farm advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension Monterey, San Benito AND Santa Cruz counties Most vineyards and varieties had average to slightly above average yields���a welcome relief after the low yields of 2011. Fruit quality was good with little negative impact from rot or mold. A short heat spell in early October gave a bump to sugar levels and accelerated the harvest, resulting in a backup in wineries��� tank capacities. Harvest finished during the second week of November. Weather: Moderate weather in 2012 resulted in a longer than normal growing season. The coastal areas were cooler than normal, and the more interior areas were normal in growing degree-day accumulation. SEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTH #900 u