Lodi reaps bountiful harvest
A state report shows that the Lodi area saw a larger grape crush in 2016 than in 2015 — and that the region led the state in production of many varietals.
The 2016 preliminary California Grape Crush report was released recently by the California Agricultural Service and it contained encouraging numbers statewide and for the Lodi American Viticultural Area.
Overall, more grapes were crushed and prices increased for wine grapes in 2016 compared to 2015.
The 2016 crush totaled 4,196,753 tons, up 8.5 percent from the 2015 crush of 3,868,459 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 2,255,300 tons, up 10.5 percent from 2015. The 2016 white wine variety crush totaled 1,745,490 tons, up 4.9 percent from 2015. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 98,205, up 6.2 percent from 2015, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 97,759, up 38.3 percent from 2015.
The 2016 average price of all varieties was $750.27 per ton, up 11.7 percent from 2015. Average prices for the 2016 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $899.44, up 13.9 percent from 2015; white wine grapes, $594.01, up 9.9 percent from 2015; raisin grapes, $213.64, down 13.7 percent; and table grapes, $153.05, down 39.4 percent.
Lodi accounted for more than 20 percent of the statewide wine grape total with 800,496.6 tons harvested in 2016.
“I think everyone was encouraged by the result of the 2016 harvest and the quality looked really good in the premier area,” said Stuart Spencer, owner, grower and winemaker for St. Amant Winery in Lodi and program manager for the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Yields were up and as a farmer, that makes you happy. Pricing showed some strength, which also hopefully bodes well for future demand into this coming growing season. It looks good for the future.”
The leading variety statewide was Chardonnay, accounting for 16 percent of the total 2016 crush (including table grapes) and was down in grape share. Cabernet sauvignon was the leading red variety, accounting for 13.3 percent of the total 2016 crush, up from 11.8 percent of the 2015 crush.
Lodi’s crush was up about 20 percent from the previous year.
“We came out of the drought last year and had a wetter winter and started the growing season with much better water profile in the soil,” Spencer said. “We saw that throughout the season where the vines were a lot healthier and happier.”
In terms of tonnage, zinfandel is the leading variety in the Lodi AVA with 146,397.2 tons crushed. The Lodi AVA is defined as San Joaquin County north of State Highway 4, and Sacramento County south of Highway 50 and east of Interstate 5. Only the Madera, Fresno, Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties region crushed more zinfandel than Lodi (159,547 tons).
Among white varieties, Lodi led the state in the production of Chardonnay, Muscat Orange, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Verdelho, Vermentino and Viognier.
Among reds, Lodi led the state in Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Refosco (Mondeuse), Sangiovese, Tannat, Teroldego, Touriga Nacional, and Trousseau (Bastardo).
Lodi was second statewide in the production of Syrah and Cabernet Franc, and third in Pinot Noir.
Prices were up about 8.5 percent across the board, likely as a result of the growing premium wine market ($10 per bottle and higher).
“Lodi’s in a great position to provide wines in that market,” Spencer said. “As wineries continue to grow, it’s a great source for grapes, and that might be helping boost prices as more and more wineries look to Lodi to provide quality grapes.”