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120 WINES&VINES January 2017 VINTAGE 2016 mal, compared to the drought conditions of 2012-15," he said. "The warm and dry summer con- tributed to an early harvest. The resulting wines are flavorful, and the red wines deeply colored." MONTEREY, SAN BENITO AND SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES Larry Bettiga Viticulture farm advisor University of California Cooperative Extension Although yields were average to below average, quality was good. Fruit set was better than 2015. Lower cluster numbers and size reduced the crop potential. Con- cerns of smoke taint were high with the prolonged Soberanes Fire that burned more than 132,000 acres, but testing of fruit showed vineyards in the Salinas Valley were not affected by smoke. Some vineyards in the Carmel Valley AVA, which was closer to the fire, were affected and not harvested. A warm, late winter resulted in early bud break. Moderate grow- ing season temperatures pro- longed the growing season and stretched the harvest period. Harvest began in the second week of August for sparkling wines and continued until the end of October. Rain after bud break and moder- ate temperatures with the ab- sence of any heat spikes provided ideal conditions for early powdery mildew infection and disease de- velopment. Additional sprays and canopy management were re- quired to maintain disease control and in some sites disease re- duced crop potential. Grape demand was good with very little uncommitted fruit by harvest. Most vineyards had average to be- low-average yields. NAPA COUNTY Monica Cooper Viticulture farm advisor University of California Cooperative Extension The Napa wine industry should be quite pleased with the quan- tity and quality of the 2016 har- vest. I would characterize the season as steady with a few curveballs. Vines had sufficient soil moisture to grow healthy, full canopies; bloom-time conditions were generally favorable, and the weather throughout the season was mild with few extremes, re- sulting in a steady but not overly extended harvest of reportedly well-balanced fruit. Most notable was the cool weather through late summer and into the fall. We did not ex- perience typical heat extremes during the harvest period. The continued trend of warmer night- time temperatures throughout the year could have long-term implications. SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY Paul Verdegaal Farm advisor University of California Cooperative Extension Yields were similar to 2015 (about average to slightly below aver- age), but young vines and some blocks were more heavily cropped. Fruit quality was very good, total acids and pH levels good for the average to slightly warm season (about 3,600 grow- ing degree days). Harvest began 14 to 21 days early, with mixed progression of variety ripening for early varieties such as Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Then harvest slowed for mid-season and later varieties such as Cabernet Sauvi- gnon, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Rain on Oct. 14 was heavy and stalled picking. Harvest finished about average in late October. December and January were very wet, which helped mitigate dry soils. Dry February slowed weeds, but March was wet. Vine growth was very strong. Bud break came early by 10 days and was later than 2015. Spring was warm and dry, but nights were average. No morning dew was present until very late in the year. No frost or hail events occurred as in 2015. The maximum temperature only reached above 100° F for nine If yields were reduced, which of the following had the most effect? YIELD REDUCTION REASON Weather Other Vine disease Insufficient grape supply CALIFORNIA Was it a challenge to find sufficient labor to either harvest the grapes or process them at the winery? No Yes LABOR CALIFORNIA ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° It was actually the easi- est harvest that I can re- member in regards to availability. The cost was higher and workers were paid hourly and not by the ton as usual, but they showed up when asked. Alan Viader Director of winemaking and vineyard operations Viader Vineyards Deer Park, Calif. Grapes grow in view of a tank at Scheid Vineyards. Pests