Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/62409
VINT A GE 2011 And SAnTA BARBARA CounTIeS Cool temperatures continued through much of the summer, with vine phenology lagging behind even the 2010 season, which was quite delayed. Late summer weather remained relatively cool, with crop ripening far behind normal schedules. Weather: Throughout the first week of April, temperatures cooled significantly, and both counties witnessed one of the most severe frost events of the past several decades. Damage was observed in older vineyards that had not suffered significant frost damage in 30 or more years. Pests/Diseases: Serious infections of powdery mildew were not unusual. Vine mealybug was found at several locations near Los Olivos in Santa Barbara County. Growers in that area will need to be on the lookout for incipient infestations so they can treat them before they become severe. Varieties: The first significant rain of the fall occurred in early October, leading to substantial bunch rots in the most suscep- tible varieties such as Petite Sirah, Chardonnay and Zinfandel. Bunch rot pressure was likely elevated at many sites as a conse- quence of the high Botrytis pressure in the spring. Some sites that experienced poor fruit set may have suffered less bunch rot as a result of having loose cluster architecture. SAn luIS oBISPo mark Battany Viticulture and soil farm advisor University of California Cooperative Extension SAn JoAquIn CounTy Yields were down for the second year, this time about 30% to 40%. Bunch rot was minimal, although summer bunch rot was above average in Zinfandel. Berry size and cluster set were vari- able, with fewer clusters. Colors, acids and flavors were excellent, similar to last year. Harvest began about 18 to 20 days behind long-term average, but most varieties caught up after mid-season. Harvest was finished by Nov. 1. Weather: Rainfall ended June 5 with 25.9 total inches. Bud break was slightly delayed, with a cool, wet spring. The season was very cool with only two days above 100°F. West Lodi had a mild frost. Pests/Diseases: High powdery mildew pressure, but scattered problems. Mites were very late and light. VMB is under control; no EGVM were trapped, but LBAM is spreading. Supply/Demand: Prices are up slightly for Zinfandel, Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Interest grows for Muscat-type grapes and new Mediterranean selections. Market Research for Wineries and Suppliers "The 2011 season had an extremely light crop and severe disease pressure." —Rhonda Smith, Viticulture farm advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension Technology/Techniques: LED lighting technology was used on some harvesters, and flash detente was used at a local winery. There is interest growing in high-wire cordon for machine-pruned vines. Logistics: Regulatory costs are up, and labor is in short supply. Fuel and all input costs are up. Varieties: Lodi recognition is growing for fruit quality and value wines for major varieties and new selections. Paul Verdegaal Farm advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension SonomA CounTy The 2011 season had an extremely light crop and severe disease pressure. For 10 days in May, maximum daily temperatures were lower than 70°F throughout the county, preventing fertilization and resulting in the loss of entire flower clusters. On average, the season was two weeks late. Depending on variety and location, fruit came in at lower sugar. Weather: Mild temperatures throughout the summer delayed the start of harvest, and many vineyards were not picked prior to rain events in October, which caused Botrytis bunch rot to become even more severe. Pests/Diseases: Damp weather caused Botrytis in June and bunch rot beginning in August. Wet canopies and high humidity resulted in significant crop loss. Supply/Demand: Cool bloom-time temperatures resulted in a lighter crop in most regions, with some growers reporting record-low yields. Grape prices increased in 2011. Logistics: The rush to get fruit in before the Oct. 3 rain filled winery tanks. Rhonda Smith Viticulture advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension WinesVinesDATA WWW.WINESANDVINES.COM QSEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTHS #430 & #818 122 Wines & Vines JAnUARY 2012 yolo And SACRAmenTo CounTIeS The quality of the crop was high. The quantity was below aver- age for many white winegrape varieties, and some reds had trouble reaching Brix targets. Weather: A cold, wet spring preceded the coolest summer temper- atures in many years, and the late harvest period witnessed two rain events. 2011 proved to be a difficult year to grow grapes. Pests/Diseases: Higher than average mildew pressure. Supply/Demand: Some price increases developed for both red and white varieties, and many growers reported lower than average yields. The market offered plenty of demand to move all our fruit. Technology/Techniques: Greater use of wet mildew-control products. Logistics: There were acute labor shortages and tank space issues at harvest. Varieties: Chardonnay damaged by frost events. Tim Waits President, Clarksburg Wine Growers and Vintners Association