Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/74662
VINT A GE 2010 Supply/Demand: Yields were about average overall. Buyers were very scarce for much of the season. Some fruit was not sold, and some vineyards were not harvested due to quality issues. Logistics: The area remains free of EGVM with restricted move- ment of grapes into region. Varieties: Rot-prone varieties such as Zinfandel and Petite Sirah in inland areas, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in coastal areas, suffered from fall bunch rots. Mark Battany Farm advisor, UC Cooperative Extension A very cool season created challenges for growers who spent more money to bring the crop in. Growers with "normal" yields were happy. Overall, the crop was down 10%-15%, yet some blocks had severe losses due to heat damage and disease. Wine- makers were very pleased with the fruit, because it had slower ripening at cooler temperatures and lower sugars, which means lower alcohol wines. SONOMA COUNTY Weather: This was a cool, damp year with rain at bloom; three hot days in August destroyed clusters. A dry, warm September continued into October, then temperatures were cool with 3-7 inches of rain Oct. 24-25. Late start and finish to a long year. Pests/Diseases: Growers battled powdery mildew and Botrytis infections. More fungicide applications and tractor passes to manage canopies ran up farming costs. Get the best out of your grapes. The Europress exclusively by Euro-Machines Supply/Demand: Grape prices and demand remained low. Logistics: A 10-week harvest was compressed into six weeks, so tank space was a problem. Rhonda Smith Viticulture farm advisor, UC Cooperative Extension SUISUN VALLEY The Suisun Valley harvest was lighter than 2009 across just about every vineyard in the AVA. The September heat spikes did sunburn and dehydrate some vineyards, resulting in loss of weight. Due to a cool growing season, the acids were higher in TA with lower pH. Flavor quality is very good with noticeable fine-grained tannins across reds. Weather: One of the toughest growing seasons in years. Our inner coastal location kept us out of the excessive fog realized in other areas. Late ripening fruit was greeted by October rains. Pests/Diseases: Powdery mildew pressure was very high. Supply/Demand: Yields were down due to heat spikes and some poor set in spring. Grape pricing during a recession is never rewarding. Logistics: The EGVM quarantine presented logistics issues for both in-state and out-of-state sales. Varieties: The diversity in grapes being grown is expanding. Roger King President, Suisun Valley Vintners and Growers Association Euro-Machines offers high-quality equipment based on your vision to bring out the best of every vine, with our proven history in the careful handling of grapes and together our love of good wine. Europress-Cool with cooling jacket Euroselect berry selector Destemmer crushers Sorting equipment Conveyor belts Vibrating tables Custom-made tanks Pumps Europress 6-320 hl Braud grape harvesters and much more West: Fairfield, CA 94534 - Phone 707-864-5800 East: Culpeper, VA 22701 - Phone 540-825-5700 info@euromachinesusa.com www.euromachinesusa.com Euro-Machines, Inc. A subsidiary of Scharfenberger Company Germany QSEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTH #C1 Wines & Vines JAnUARY 2011 97