Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/62409
VINT A GE 2011 Weather: First, it was late and cool during bud break and bloom. Many varieties were light to begin with. The growing season was cool. Everything was late, late, late. Pests/Diseases: Heavy mildew pressure during the growing sea- son, but most growers stayed ahead of any potential problems. Botrytis was a serious problem at harvest. Supply/Demand: Supplies are tightening, so the market is much improved from last year. Bulk wines are moving well. Varieties: Zinfandel is good. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc were late and had Botrytis issues. Pinot Noir was mixed and Pe- tite Sirah was seriously damaged. Everything else came in more or less OK. Glenn mcGourty Wine growing and plant science advisor University of California Cooperative Extension mARIPoSA And meRCed CounTIeS Despite all the travails, winemakers are pleased with the quality. We can't wait to see how the wine turns out. Weather: In Mariposa County, this was a very challenging and scary year. Spring was marked by frosts and even two inches of snow on green leaves in the upper elevations. Sur- prisingly, the crop came in at fair to excellent levels depend- ing on location. Pests/Diseases: Powdery mildew caused some damage in a couple of blocks in Mariposa County, as the conditions were ideal for its development. Rains near harvest did not cause much rot, but they did cause the sugar to drop, which delayed harvest even further. In Merced County, many were impressed by the amount of powdery mildew pressure. A lot of fungicides were applied this year to keep the crop clean. Delayed harvest became fright- ful as fall rains approached. Some blocks were brought in with sugars a little low so we could avoid rain-induced bunch rot. It was an agonizing decision when to cut off water. No new exotic pests have been documented. Mites had to be watched carefully. By the time this report goes to press, we are hoping the small EGVM quarantine in the corner of the county will be lifted. (Ed. note: According to the Pest Exclusion department of the Califor- nia Department of Agriculture, the quarantine was still in effect as of Dec. 19, 2011.) maxwell norton Farm advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension TEST MENU INCLUDES Acetic Acid Ammonia Glucose/Fructose Ethanol Lactic Acid Malic Acid Potassium TAS NEW TESTS COMING SOON Citric Acid Free+ Total S02 Iron Nopa Tartaric Acid FOOD DIAGNOSTICS T +1 304 728 2890 E enquiries@randoxfooddiagnostics.com www.randoxfooddiagnostics.com 120 Wines & Vines JAnUARY 2012 QSEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTH #1704 QSEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTH #140g And SAnTA CRuz CounTIeS Overall quantity was down for most vineyards. Most of the reductions were weather-related due to cold temperatures and pre-harvest rain. In late April, frost caused severe damage to several vineyards in the interior areas and significantly lowered the overall yield potential for the region. The cool temperatures late in the season resulted in a slow ripening process and lower Brix levels at harvest. Weather: Temperatures were cool the entire season with the lack of significant heat waves. Rain occurred during bloom and before harvest, causing reductions in yields due to mildew- and rot-related issues. Pests/Diseases: Powdery mildew pressure was severe, and there was increased Botrytis bunch rot pressure due to rain prior to harvest. monTeRey, SAn BenITo Supply/Demand: Cold temperatures affected yields during bloom. Early season varieties such as Pinot Noir had greater reductions due to reduced fruit set. Logistics: A quarantine area was formed for EGVM in Santa Cruz County. larry Bettiga Viticulture farm advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension nAPA CounTy Growers faced challenging weather in this unseasonably cool and wet year. Cool temperatures and rain during bloom compromised fruit set, resulting in smaller than average yields. The cool summer that followed delayed harvest. Grapes were harvested at lower than normal sugars, although flavors matured at lower sugars. Weather: Cool, wet spring weather and unusually cool summer temperatures. Areas of the county received up to 45 inches of rainfall (November 2010 to June 2011). October 2011 rains exacerbated fungal bunch rots. Pests/Diseases: Growers continued to take an aggressive ap- proach to managing the invasive European grapevine moth. Quarantine regulations were in effect countywide. Supply/Demand: Yields were smaller than normal and attributed to reduced fruit set during the cool, wet spring. monica Cooper Viticulture farm advisor University of California Cooperative Extension FINE LABELSTOCK FOR FINE WINES Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento January 25 & 26, 2012 Come visit us at the Booth #1704 www.upmraflatac.com