Napa Valley Grapegrowers Forecast 2008 Harvest

August 13, 2008 – The Napa Valley Grapegrowers held a press conference at Larkmead Vineyards in Calistoga, California to forecast what is unanimously being heralded as an exceptional vintage of pristine grapes with lower than average yields in a year marked by extreme growing conditions. “With the many weather challenges facing the California wine industry in 2008, Napa Valley grapegrowers were prepared with the technology, expertise and experience necessary to navigate a difficult year and produce one of the most successful vintages in recent memory,” said NVG Executive Director Jennifer Kopp Putnam.

Grower panelists representing each of the major Napa Valley appellations gave presentations addressing hot topics ranging from sustainable best practices in the vineyards, irrigation strategies during periods of drought, integrated pest management, labor practices, extreme periods of frost and heat during the spring and concerns about the California wildfires.

Kelly Maher, an internationally renowned viticulturalist, spoke on behalf of multiple appellations, including Calistoga, stating, “Although we’re carrying lower cluster counts in most cases, berry sizes remain small,” which by grower consensus should lead to something pretty exceptional in the wines. He also noted that although perceived as being early this year, harvest is merely 7-14 days earlier than last year. He credits moderate temperatures of 80-degree days throughout most of the summer for cultivating balanced vines resulting in even grape ripening.

Pete Richmond, viticultural manager of the Silverado Farming Company representing the mountainous AVAs such as Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain and Spring Mountain, noted that “Variable weather during bloom — hot temperatures, wind and showers extending over a two week period is responsible for the small cluster and berry sizes and lower yields that will ultimately increase the quality of the wine,” he noted. He added that water is definitely an issue this year, especially for mountain winegrowing. “We thinned early, are conserving water and are farming in a way where the vines need as little input as possible. Dry soil lays the foundation for less shoot growth, easy ripening and contributes to balanced vines.” Richmond cautioned that with more than six weeks remaining in the season, it is still too early to tell for many red varieties in numerous locations throughout the county what the overall quality of this year’s harvest will be.

Amy Warnock,
Pahlmeyer Vineyards

Amy Warnock, viticulturalist at Pahlmeyer Vineyards and representing the Atlas Peak and Wooden Valley AVAs, noted that the second dry growing season in a row was essentially an advantage, forcing grape vines to focus more energy on the fruit, rather than shoot and vine growth that is consistently equated with wetter years. She reiterated the importance of sustainable best practices in the vineyards especially in difficult growing seasons stating, “Many problems in the vineyard associated with powdery mildew and botrytis can be prevented by good canopy management.”

While the harsh frosts during the early spring months kept many growers working around the clock for weeks on end, the Napa Valley did not experience as much damage due to the severe weather as many initially predicted. Jon Ruel, VP of operations for Trefethen Vineyards and representing the Oak Knoll AVA, reported “The 2008 frost was the worst we’ve seen in 30 years,” but overall damage was minimal. He also stressed the importance of vineyard and winery water recycling programs as a stopgap for preparing for dryer growing seasons such as those experienced in the Napa Valley during the past two years.

Jon Ruel,
Trefethen Vineyards

In what he prefaced as a grower myth that may actually turn into a grower truth, Jon Ruel spoke optimistically about the recent California wildfires supposing that smoke from the fallout may have shielded the vineyards from the hot summer days, paving the way for more uniform cluster ripeness and preventing the berries from burning.

Cam Baker, event host and owner of Larkmead Vineyards, observed that the 2008 harvest marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Napa County Agricultural Preserve. This agricultural preserve was the first of its kind in the country and was created to maintain agriculture as the highest and best use of the land.

Cam Baker,
Larkmead Vineyards

Napa Valley Grapegrower President Bruce Philips encouraged visiting media to invite their readers to join in the festivities of harvest first hand by attending the inaugural Napa Valley Grapegrowers Harvest STOMP, September 6, 2008. Please visit www.harveststomp.com to learn more.