Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/764739
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m J a n - F e b 2 017 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 3 3 alifornia's 2016 harvest was early and, overall, growers and winemakers were pleased with the results. Winter rains in the mid-to-northern parts of the state helped improve drought conditions, while those further south contin- ued to struggle with water avail- ability and heat spikes. Average yields were reported throughout the state, and the California Depart- ment of Agriculture estimated the crop will be near the historical aver- age of 3.9 million tons. Oregon experienced 2016 as another warm, early year as well — the fourth straight. But things cooled down considerably in July. Even still, the early start meant harvest started historically early and, for the most part, was com- pleted before October. Yields were average for the state. Growers also expressed relief in a hassle- free harvest season and anticipate high quality. Washington has experienced early starts and above average heat accumulation since 2013, and 2016 was no different. Like Oregon, the growing season started historically early. But the biggest story for the state in 2016 was the large crop, which took many by surprise. Tem- peratures did cool down by Sep- tember, which let harvest stretch out. The overall consensus was the vintage will be exceptional. East of the Rocky Mountains, following a series of fierce win- ters that harmed vineyards in sev- eral states, the wine industry got a respite in 2016, enjoying excellent grape quality that set the table for an excellent vintage. CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA BY CYNDEE NELSON Like 2015, the 2016 Califor- nia harvest was early and, overall, growers and winemakers were pleased with the results. W i n t e r r a i n s i n t h e m i d - t o - northern parts of the state helped improve drought conditions. Cali- fornia's southern half saw a little rainfall in December and April, but Temecula Valley struck out entire- ly. Kim Stemler, executive director of the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association, says with one year of average rainfall (slight- ly above average in the northern Salinas Valley and slightly below average in the southern end of the valley, reservoirs throughout Salinas Valley were helped, but there's still a range of variance, with some basins showing four inches lower than last year and some showing four inches higher. "In short, we need more rain," she says. The rains were a boon in Lodi, where Vino Farms vice pres- ident and partner, Craig Ledbetter, states, "We started the season StaVın Inc, P.O.Box 1693, Sausalito,CA 94966 (415) 331-7849 f (415) 331-0516 stavin.com ® Eco-Friendly. Sustainable. Bio-Dynamic. Zero Impact. Every year, the list seems to grow longer of impressive, earth-saving adjectives that dress the most prudent of today's marketing strategies. And just how Green is StaVin? We recently installed a couple of high tech smoke filtration scrubbers atop our oak toasting facility, which was not required by law. And it did not come cheap. More importantly, our products are 80% less wasteful of resources than traditional barrel-aging methods. We save winemakers money and offer them more control over flavors. While keeping forests and wells fuller. © 2017 StaVin Inc. Harvest 2016