2O14 IS ANOTHER GREAT VINTAGE FOR CALIFORNIA

DESPITE AN ongoing drought and earthquake that rocked south Napa in late August just as crush was getting underway, it looks as if California is going to pull off a phenomenal vintage. A mild winter and spring caused early bud break, although the overall length of the growing season was similar to past years. A compacted harvest began in July for sparkling wines and started winding down by mid-October for later ripening varieties. Moderate temperatures, with only minimal rain in September, allowed for even ripening. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Pacific Regional Crop Production Report of August 2O14, California’s wine grape production this year is forecast at 3.9 million tons, down 8 percent from 2O13’s record high crop. The 2O14 harvest is the third largest on record.
Renee Ary, winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley was very pleased with the vintage. “2O14 will be noted as one of the earliest vintages in over a decade, but it will also go down as one of the best. Challenged by drought, an earthquake, rain, hail and significant heat, you would think there would be a lot of obstacles to navigate, however the timing of the events paired with some planning allowed us to dodge these curveballs and land another fantastic vintage. Tannins are in check and berries are small, which is translating into great balance and concentration in the cellar. Yields and quality are above average across all varieties, and I am anticipating a lot of beautiful 2O14 wines to come.”

In Sonoma County, there were more accolades for the vintage from Corey Beck, President and Director of Winemaking at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. “In the past 17 years that I’ve been with Coppola, this has to be the best vintage I’ve ever seen. I remember saying that about the 2O13 vintage, too. We’ve been so fortunate to have two back-to-back phenomenal harvests. We buy grapes from a variety of growers in various sub-appellations throughout Sonoma County, and to see that level of quality and consistency in each of the diverse varieties across the region is remarkable. The Chardonnay grapes were supple and succulent; the Cabernets were deep and complex-across the board, it’s a great vintage.”