California grape growers set record in 2013

For the second year in a row, California’s grape harvest is expected to set a record. The Preliminary Grape Crush Report indicates the state crushed 4,685,075 tons of grapes in 2013, up 7 percent from the record set in 2012. Red wine varieties continue to account for the majority of production with 2,405,942 tons crushed statewide in 2013 and white wine varieties contributed 1,824,625 tons. A small amount of raisin grape and table grape varieties made up the remainder of grapes crushed for wine in California in 2013.
In Santa Clara County, 1,177 acres of red wine grapes amounted to 4,355 tons in 2012, the most recent year for which data is available. 407 acres of white wine grapes were grown in 2012 with a production total of 1,832 tons. The average price for wine grapes across California was $706.29 in 2013, with the highest average price of $3,691.07 per ton in Napa County in 2013 and an average price of $1,171.57 per ton in Santa Clara County in 2012.
The 2013 average price in California was $863.41 for Chardonnay, $1,334.96 for Cabernet Sauvignon, and $648.94 for Zinfandel. Chardonnay remains the largest grape varietal with 16% of the crush volume and Cabernet Sauvignon came in second with 11%.
The Preliminary Grape Crush Report is produced by the United States Department of Agriculture and includes all grape tonnage crushed during the 2013 season. The Final Grape Crush Report will be released March 10 and will include late reports and corrections.
The full Grape Crush Report can be viewed online at www.nass.usda.gov/ca.