KELSEYVILLE – Lake County winegrape growers report a lighter than average crop for white varietals but excellent quality grapes as they assess their harvest completed in the last couple weeks.
Lake County vineyard acreage remains steady at almost 8,400 acres, and this year's winegrape harvest is expected to be valued at nearly $40 million.
Weather was cooperative this year, compared to last year’s early frost; mildew and rot were not major problems, growers noted. However, selling their product is one of the biggest challenges this year.
“Wineries are holding back,” said John Roumiguiere, co-owner of Roumiguiere Vineyards.
“Those (growers) who didn’t have contracts are having trouble. The wineries are being tight,” he said, adding that it not lack of quality of the grapes.
Low sales stem from a combination of the poor economy and the abundance of grapes being produced now, said grower Pilar Luchsinger, echoing Roumiguiere’s sentiment. The wineries are being “conservative” in their purchases, Luchsinger said. “This is the worst we’ve seen in years.”
Luchsinger, who has approximately 100 acres between vineyards located in the Big Valley and Red Hills areas, is pleased with the quality of the grapes and said she had a “good size – above average” of her Sauvignon Blanc crop.
She is preparing to pick red Portuguese varieties, Touriga and Tinta Cao, in a week to 10 days. Those look to be good crops, too, she said, adding that she doesn’t foresee any problems with rain in the forecast unless there happens to be a major change in the weather.
However, she worries about being able to sell. “There’s just not many big buyers right now. We won’t be custom crushing; whatever is unsold, we’ll leave hanging,” Luchsinger said.
Roumiguiere reported a “lighter than average” yield from his Sauvignon Blanc, but an overall excellent quality. His Chardonnay crop seems to be at about average or slightly better in size, he added.
Operating four different ranches (three in Big Valley and one in Red Hills) with varying soils and climates, Roumiguiere also expects a lighter than usual Merlot crop. Some growers experienced problems with Merlot, said Roumiguiere, with loose clusters and some “shattering” of the fruit.
“But most of mine are in real nice shape,” he said.
A Kelseyville area grower who is fortunate to land a sale of her winegrapes said she faced challenges that are associated with organic production.
Lou Ann Bauer of Hill Creek Vineyard in the Big Valley area of Kelseyville completed the first harvest of organic wines this year, selling the fruit to Bonterra Vineyards, one of the largest buyers of organic grapes, she said.
Certified organic last year, the vineyard consists of four and a half acres of premium Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Bauer believes she was able to sell the grapes because they are organic. Up until 2004, the crop was conventionally farmed.
“We have a lighter crop size than what we had three years ago (prior to transitioning)” Bauer said. However, it is better than the 2008 yield. “Last year was awful because of the spring frost.”
Weed control proved to be this year’s challenge for Hill Creek Vineyard, Bauer said. “The weeds compete with the vines for water,” she explained, adding that more work will need to be done in the next year to keep the weeds from being a problem.
Bauer will soon be focusing on her cover crops. With the first rain, she said, workers will prepare and plant barley, oats, and peas to help decrease weeds and put nutrients in the soil.
For more information, visit the Lake County Winegrape Commission Web site at www.lakecountywinegrape.org .
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