California: Potentially Great Harvest in Temecula

(Wines&Vines) - Harvest is under way in most parts of California, and it’s well along in Temecula, a grapegrowing region north of San Diego and the southernmost American Viticultural Area in the state.

 David Bradley, the owner and winemaker of boutique Vindemia Vineyards & Winery, said harvest is about 10 days early on most fruit this year.

 “We picked Syrah about six to 10 days early, on average, and got 75% of normal yield. But we have great color and 0.75º Brix higher than average. So all in all we are pleased and OK so far.”

Bradley added, “We got very little rain this past winter, and it was warmer. Bud break was a week early and very vigorous to start but yielded a smaller canopy.”

Harvest ongoing

 Nicholas Palumbo is the owner and winemaker of 17-acre Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery. He’s also president of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association.

He makes about 2,000 cases per year and sells most of it directly to consumers. Most is estate red, but he also makes Viognier.

Palumbo picked small amounts of Sangiovese and Zinfandel yesterday, but he expects his biggest blocks to come in next week. “Yield has been good, though the Viognier is down a little bit and Sangiovese (is) up.”

He noted a difficult weather pattern this season, with rainstorms and flash floods in some parts of Southern California. “It’s been an unfortunate monsoon condition, and sugar has been creeping up faster than ripening.”