GRAPEGROWING
CHRIS LESCHINSKY/COURTESY OF THE PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE
Excluding Santa Cruz County, the Central Coast produced 517,547 tons
of wine grapes in 2012, according to the California Grape Crush Report.
some room for expansion. The dry climate, limited water supplies
and water-quality regulations are challenges for the industry. The
growing number of wineries add a great amenity to this lovely
region that already enjoys a strong tourism industry. No wonder
this region is ascending in the eyes of serious wine drinkers and
people who want a good glass of wine with their vacation!
University of California farm advisors Larry Bettiga and Mark Battany, along with growers John Crossland, Tom Hinkle and Louie Lucas,
provided background information for this report.
Glenn McGourty is the UC Cooperative Extension winegrowing and
plant science advisor for Lake and Mendocino counties. He also tends a
1-acre vineyard of the aromatic Italian winegrape variety Arneis on his
property along the Russian River near Ukiah, Calif.
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