Good Fruit Grower

January 15

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Grape nursery sales remain strong But has demand for vines peaked? by Melissa Hansen N Cabernet Sauvignon vine sales are still strong, though Merlot and Chardonnay sales softened last year, says Jeff Sample. ursery grapevine sales have been strong the last three years, with volumes ranging from 2 to 2.5 million vines annually, according to a major Washington State grape nursery. What are grape growers in Washington and elsewhere planting? Do plant- ing trends reflect consumption trends? Jeff Sample, representative for Inland Desert Nursery in Benton City, shared wine grapevine variety planting trend data with growers and winemakers attending a wine market workshop in November. Data cover the years 2009 through 2011. Top sellers Four varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Riesling—have consistently been the top sellers in the last three years, each selling significantly more than 100,000 vines per year, Sample said. Cabernet has been the varietal leader, with nearly two million vines sold in the three- year period, followed by Merlot and Chardonnay, each totaling more than one million vines. Riesling showed the biggest jump of the top four sellers in 2011 when 350,000 vines were sold. Sales in 2009 and 2010 were around 130,000 vines annually, making a total of more than 600,000 vines for the three-year period. 28 JANUARY 15, 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com melissa hansen

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