California's Winegrape Grower's Perspective on 1999 Crop.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 12, 1999--

As the California Agriculture Statistics Service (CASS) released their first estimate for the 1999 winegrape harvest, members of the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) made their own forecasts for the `99 harvest from around the state.

While the State crop report forecasts a crop of 2,900,000 tons of winegrapes, CAWG members in general agree as they see a late and slightly below normal harvest for 1999.

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                 Actual 1998         July 10th Estimate 1999
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Raisin          2,158,000 tons            2,200,000 tons
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Table             645,000 tons              750,000 tons
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Wine            2,570,000 tons            2,900,000 tons
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Totals          5,373,000 tons            5,850,000 tons
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"Along the Central Coast the crop looks to be off by 20 to 25 percent of normal, with the exception of some of the younger plantings which are about normal," says President of Monterey Pacific Inc., Steve McIntyre. "We have been experiencing much cooler and windier weather so far, even more so than 1998 which was the El Nino year. Right now, I estimate the crop looks to be about two weeks behind normal and is running very similar to 1991 in terms of the weather."

Eric Shannon, owner of the 3,000+ acre Shannon Vineyards near Visalia in the Central Valley, said that due to frost, freezes, hail and a host of other problems, their winegrapes appear to be down by 10 to 15 of normal. "It also looks like the crop is running about two weeks behind normal."

In the Napa Valley, Andy Hoxsey of the Napa Wine Company echoes the observations made by his colleagues in other parts of the state. "I'd compare this year to last year," he said "The only difference is that the rain didn't last as long and we were at least able to get the fields ready in time. But I don't expect to start harvesting the sparkling wine grapes until the last week in August. Also, I expect the yield in the Napa region to probably be down by as much as 20 to 25 percent."

However, according to the President of Allied Grape Growers and Director-at-Large for CAWG, Barry Bedwell, the overall outlook is mixed. "Statewide, we see that winegrape growers are expecting a better crop for 1999 than last year, but one that still falls slightly short of what might be considered `average'. For the major varietals, production potential looks good for Merlot, normal for Cabernet Sauvignon, just below normal for Chardonnay and definitely light for Zinfandel." Bedwell pointed out that some lower levels of production for the primary premium varietals in established vineyards should be offset to a great degree by new acres coming into bearing this year.

CAWG, celebrating its 25th year, was founded in 1974 and represents the interests and concerns of winegrape growers throughout California. The Sacramento-based organization is dedicated to enhancing the business of growing winegrapes through research, advocacy at the state and federal levels and wine industry leadership.