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May 2015 WINES&VINES 87 WINE EAST NEWS R ichmond, Va.—The 2014 wine grape harvest in Virginia produced more than 8,000 tons, despite some vineyards suf- fering from frigid winter temperatures and spring frosts. According to a report about statewide grape production released by the Virginia Grape Board, the 2014 harvest came in at 8,039 tons—17% more than the previous year. The top three varieties in the state were Chardonnay (1,104 tons), Merlot (995 tons) and Cabernet Franc (964 tons). Hybrid grapes accounted for 23% of the state's total production, and Vidal Blanc was the leading hybrid variety with 741 tons. Based on the voluntary survey, the state is home to 3,144 acres of vineyards, of which 2,459 acres are planted to vinifera grapes. While Virginia was spared the worst of the polar vortex that ravaged vinifera vineyards in regions to the north and west of the state, some vineyards did suffer cold damage in January 2014, wrote Tony Wolf, director and professor of viticulture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's research and extension center, in an overview of the 2014 growing season. The average price paid for vinifera grapes in 2014 was $2,061, a slight increase from 2013 ($2,014). Sauvignon Blanc fetched the highest average price of $2,475, although some Bordeaux varieties in the state sold for $3,300 per ton, according to the range of grape prices in the report. Prices paid for hybrid grapes on average rose 10%, from $1,180 to $1,301. Vidal Blanc fetched the highest average price of $1,925, which was a 51% increase over 2013 ($1,278). Prices for the grape rose despite growers producing 741 tons, or nearly 30% more than the 2013 crop of 579 tons. The second most widely planted hybrid grape in Virginia is Chambourcin, for which 133 bearing acres yielded 532 tons in 2014. The aver- age price for Chambourcin in 2014 was $1,281. Non-bearing vineyards totaled 425 acres, of which 348 acres were planted to vinifera. The number of non-bearing vinifera acres grew by 25% over 2013. According to the Wines Vines Analytics win- ery database, Virginia is home to 256 wineries, with more than a quarter of those located in Albemarle, Loudoun and Orange counties. Albemarle County produced 1,316 tons in 2014, a nearly 30% increase over the previous year's total (1,013 tons). Loudoun County was responsible for 1,294 tons of grapes in 2014, up from 1,046 tons the previous year (a gain of nearly 24%). Orange County, the other county to top 1,000 tons, produced 1,028 tons compared to 1,042 in 2013. —Andrew Adams Virginia Harvest Tops 8,000 Tons Vance_Jan11.qxp 11/23/10 9:29 AM Page 1 The Brand Most Trusted By Home Winemakers Is Now There For Wineries and now "The solution lifted stains immediately … It performed exceptionally well." Daniel Pambianchi WineMaker Magazine Technical Editor, Author, Winery Owner "Cleaning Agent Performance Study" December 22, 2013 Maker of For All Your Professional Needs. ecologiccleansers.com 608-658-2866 | info@ecologiccleansers.com Like us on