Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/230154
they have yet to find a parasitoid that controls the pest naturally. The great weather allowed crews to stay on top of most farming operations, and vineyards generally looked outstanding in 2013. They were in balance (not too much vegetative growth), weed control was better than usual in many vineyards, and there was adequate water to keep vines in good condition right up to harvest. Harvest was almost two weeks early for most varieties, and grapes seemed to be ripe at lower sugars. Levels of pH were up and titratable acidity down for many varieties, such as chardonnay, roussanne and pinot noir. Seeds were very mature at lower-than-usual Brix levels. White wines seemed particularly balanced and ripe – there will be many fine white wines from 2013. The harvest for sparkling wine was fast and furious in many vineyards, as crews and winemakers rushed to get fruit into the winery before it became too ripe. The season started early – the first week of August in the interior valleys and third week of August in the North Coast and Central Coast – and then a heat wave at the end of August really accelerated ripening. Sparkling wine producers have predicted a good vintage based on early results. Sauvignon blanc was down a 44 V I N E YA R D & WINE RY MANAGEM ENT | Harvest began early in Sonoma County. little in yield from 2012, but the quality and flavors were exceptional, especially in Lake County. The crop came in a little later than usual, around mid-September, but the resulting wines are above average. The chardonnay crop was very large, and some vineyards weren't picked until mid-October due, no doubt, to the amount of fruit on the vines. Rhone white varieties yielded well, coming in nicely ripened Jan - Feb 2014 and with good balance at lowerthan-usual sugars. Red wines were generally picked quite ripe. Bordeaux varieties were on time to a little early, and cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec did particularly well. The last few weeks pushed many vineyards into a ripening window that allowed enough hang time to metabolize some of the vegetal pyrazines, while keeping sugars at a lower level. Zinfandel was a bit of a problem child in 2013, thanks to big crops. Many growers were caught off guard with the large number of clusters on the vines, and didn't thin early enough to really assist ripening. Harvest was very late in many vineyards, stretching into the third and fourth weeks of October, yet the weather cooperated. Pinot noir came in early- to midSeptember, and a little lighter than in 2012. Winemakers were very pleased with the ripe flavors, good colors and adequate acid in many lots. The Mediterranean red varieties, including syrah, sangiovese and barbera, appear to be very much above average. Growers of negroamaro and nero d'avola claim that 2013 is their best vintage ever. Overall, the Central Coast had an above-average harvest of goodquality fruit. The season was warm, but there were not many "heat w w w. v wm m e d i a . c o m