Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/230154
HarvestReport2013 alifornia growers could hardly believe their luck in 2013, after a picture-perfect 2012 vintage. 2013 was one of the driest springs on record, with warm temperatures continuing through most of the summer. Despite coolness and some rain in September, which slowed ripening, harvest was nearly two weeks early for most varieties. Although not quite as large as 2012, 2013 yields are expected to be above average in both size and fruit quality. Oregon and Washington experienced unusually warm temperatures in 2013, which resulted in earlierthan-normal starts to their harvests. A major cool-down in mid-September and October saved Washington growers from a compressed harvest and provided additional hang time. In Oregon, however, a record heat spike in mid-September was followed by a typhoon-related storm that caused damage ranging from minimal to devastating. Fortunately, warm October temperatures allowed some vineyards to dry out after the heavy rains. In many eastern regions, the vintage began with frost damage, then moved on to heavy rains and cool temperatures that halted grape development. Just when all seemed hopeless, the vintage turned around and growers were able to avoid serious issues. Growers in Colorado and Texas weren't so lucky. An extended deep freeze in Colorado reduced the crop by as much as 50%, and in Texas, frost and hail devastated vineyards. Overall, however, 2013 turned out to be an average vintage for many eastern growers. CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA BY GLENN MCGOURTY For most of California, the 2013 harvest will be remembered as quite a good one. Quality was above average in most districts, as were yields. Wineries were short of space toward the end of harvest and had to be creative to make everything fit. w w w. v w m m e d i a.com Overall, the winter rainfall leading up to spring was below average. Some districts were fine with water from reservoirs and groundwater. Other districts, such as Paso ecord, est springs on record, with very low n rainfall between January and June ches (less than 4 inches in many areas; ation normal precipitation would be clos. er to 15 inches). Vineyards in Napa Valley, as well as most other North Coast regions, were generally in balance in 2013, with very few problems. Photo: Bob McClenahan Robles, the Anderson Valley and parts of the Sierra Foothills, were touch-and-go with limited water to manage their vines. The season was warm but not exceptionally hot. A warm spring gave way to pleasant weather in most regions, with temperatures around seasonal averages. The evenings didn't cool off as much as usual, and perhaps the warmer evenings accelerated ripening – certainly acidity was lower than is typical at lower sugar levels, which tended to accelerate harvests. Things seemed to be moving at a very fast pace, and then a hot spell, followed by coolness and even a little rain in September, slowed ripening. This allowed wineries to catch up and make space for the tail end of crush. In the North Coast, it rained intensely in November and December of 2012, and some creeks and the Russian River flooded a bit. Then the precipitation virtually came to a halt in January 2013. What followed was one of the dri- Bud break was fairly normal, and there were few frosty mornings in most locations. April was very warm, and that accelerated bloom time in many vineyards by as much as two weeks. This set the stage for an early harvest, as weather all summer was very favorable. Conditions at bloom were warm and dry, and some varieties set larger-thannormal crops, especially zinfandel and chardonnay. The dry weather helped to keep fungal problems to a minimum all season, with just a few vineyards having issues with Botrytis or powdery mildew. The early warmth did get leaf hopper populations off to a big start, especially vineyards infested with Virginia creeper leaf hopper (VCLH). Since insects develop populations more quickly with warmth, many growers in interior Mendocino County, Lake County and parts of the San Joaquin Valley battled large leaf hopper populations and were forced to take corrective actions. Organic growers were particularly plagued by the VCLH, since J a n - Feb 2014 | V INE YA RD & W INE RY M A N A G EM EN T 43