Our thoughts continue to be with all those affected by the ongoing wildfires in California and the West Coast in general. Some of the fires first sparked in August are still burning and others – such as the Glass Fire in Napa/Sonoma, which started September 27th – have since ignited. Some four million acres have so far burned in California this fire season, more than double the previous state record for the most land burned in a single year.
The weather towards the end of the winegrape picking season has actually been good, but some growing areas have had to cope with low air quality due to smoke from the fires. In addition, the presence of layers of smoke has reportedly reduced sunlight radiation levels in some growing areas some of the time, potentially stalling grape readiness in certain instances.
Harvest is drawing to a close earlier than in the past few years, and would have finished even earlier were it not for complicating factors related to smoke. On the Coast, there remains some Cabernet and late-season reds to be picked, but the harvest should be wrapped-up in the second and third week of October. Some grapes that are ready to be picked remain on the vine while growers await lab results for smoke exposure. On the flip-side, some growers responded to the onset of wildfires by picking everything immediately, leading to congestion at some wineries.
Harvesting in the Central Valley, meanwhile, is virtually finished, with the lateseason reds almost all in. Picking in Lodi is expected to be complete around October 15th. In some locations on some varietals, rises in Brix levels were stalled by the five consecutive days of 110°F+ temperatures around Labor Day weekend and/or the subsequent presence of smoke in the air reducing sunlight; with the prospect of any further Brix rises now minimal, these grapes are getting picked.
Fruit yields continue to be lighter than expected, with estimates of between 10% and 30% down on an average year depending on region and variety. It is important to note that, going into August, the state’s total yield was already expected to be lighter and then white varietals were coming in lighter to varying extents in Lodi and the Central Valley before smoke became an issue. The 10-30% lighter forecast does not take into account the fruit that will not be picked because of rejections caused by positive tests for smoke exposure. The uncertain yield picture is particularly acute in the Coastal areas which have been most impacted by smoke exposure, and on varietals that are red and/or reputedly more susceptible to smoke effects, such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet.
With COVID-19 and then the wildfires, it has been a bruising year for many, but California will still produce some very fine 2020 wines. Read on for the latest on the state’s bulk wine and grape markets, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your inquiries, and stay safe.