The 2022 crush came to an end in October following a challenging growing season that saw drought, hailstorms, frost, unseasonably cool, humid or cloudy conditions, heatwaves and rainfall – often in quick succession. In general, it appears the three to four days of rain received in mid-September helped size-up some of the later-season red grapes in some areas, Cabernet being a particular beneficiary. But behind our headline crop estimate – a tentative one of 3.5-3.6 million tons – lurks a high level of output variance between even neighbouring vineyards.
Consequently, generalizing is difficult and this crop assessment – our last before the CDFA’s preliminary grape crush report in February – is anecdotal. It appears that in the Interior, and in Lake and Mendocino counties, tonnages may have come in closer to the average than in Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast which were harder hit by frost, potentially preventing the state-wide tonnage figure from slipping below 3.6 million.
It appears Cabernet and even Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay performed close to average in Lake and Mendocino, albeit still spottily in areas. Napa’s whites and early reds likely came in lighter; the appellation’s later-season reds, including Cabernet, seem to have picked closer to the average. Sonoma’s Chardonnay output is believed to have been at least average-sized in Alexander Valley but below average in Russian River; its Cabernet output appeared closer to average, but Pinot Noir – especially in Russian River – and Zinfandel both seemed light.
Down in the Central Coast, tonnage performance tended to reduce from north to south, with Livermore in the north producing some overages – mainly on the later-season reds – and Santa Barbara, farthest south, picking lightest. Again, in general, the earlier-season grapes – such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – came in lighter than the later-season reds, which may have benefitted from September’s rain. Harvest in Paso Robles appears to have come in lighter on most varieties, the situation failing to improve after the rain.
Due to the changeable conditions, performance varied greatly in the northern Interior between vineyards and by variety: there is a possibility Sauvignon Blanc output was lighter than average while Cabernet output was in fact heavier; the Chardonnay yield picture remains unclear. The southern Valley’s Muscat and generic white tonnages defied the drought; Chardonnay and Cabernet performance remains more unclear. Growers able to start irrigating early, from last winter onward, were better able to maintain groundwater reserves for the duration of the season and reaped the benefits.
The erratic conditions sometimes led to difficulties in obtaining the requisite sugar and acidity levels in the grapes, as well as in identifying the most optimal time to pick. But, as every year, California has produced excellent wines: Suppliers should get in touch with us so we can pair them with potential buyers. In the meantime, as another eventful year draws to a close, read on for a detailed assessment of California’s grape and bulk wine markets through October, November and early December. All of us at Ciatti would like to wish you and yours a very Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year!