It’s grape harvesting season. This is a very good time of year. Grape harvesting is one of the most important procedures for grapevine producers. Additionally, wine harvest season is a busy time for vintners. 

In San Luis Obispo County, the peak season for grapes is August through October. The exact timing however depends on three things: the grape variety, the weather conditions during the growing season, and the region’s climate.

Many of the wineries typically harvest between midnight and early morning because the cooler nighttime temperatures help concentrate and preserve the fresh fruit aromas and flavors and stabilize sugar levels. Nighttime also provides more comfortable working conditions for vineyard crews.

This season is a very busy time of year. There is much work to do. It is also a time of celebration. Producers oftentimes organize fiestas to celebrate this great event each year.  

TOTAL LAND ACREAGE IN SLO COUNTY

According to Google there are 3,616 square miles in San Luis Obispo County. 3,299 square miles of land and 317 square miles of water. This makes San Luis Obispo County the 16th largest county in California by total area.

Overall, this county represents about 6.8% of the 459,629 bearing acres in the state of California.

TOTAL GRAPE ACRES PLANTED IN SLO COUNTY IN 2018 

California’s diverse climate and soils provide a hospitable home for 188+ grape varieties. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon have the highest production numbers. Chardonnay is the number one grape by tons harvested in California, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon. 

For example in 2021, the tonnage of Chardonnay grapes crushed in the state of California was 619,360 tons; the tonnage of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes crushed in the state of California was 593,270 tons.

However, In San Luis Obispo County, the facts show differently. Cabernet Sauvignon is the number one grape by tons, followed by Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service the following table of grape varieties information of grape acres planted for the year 2018 was provided for San Luis Obispo County.

34 Red Varieties 

Variety Acreage
Angianico 20
Alicante Bouschet 14
Barbara 62
Cabernet Franc 448
Cabernet Sauvignon 14752
Carignane 29
Carmenere 6
Charbono 8
Cinsault 8
Counoise* 22
Dolcetto 6
Gamay 45
Graciano 15
Grenache 522
Lagrein* 32
Malbec 395
Merlot 3788
Meunier 21
Mission 1
Montepulciano 2
Mourvedre* 261
Muscat Hamburg 5
Nebbiolo 18
Petit Verdot 556
Petit Sirah 1725
Pinot Noir 2141
Primitivo 242
Sangiovese 159
Souzoa 8
Syrah* 2262
Tannat 71
Tempranillo* 179
Touriga Nacional 17
Zinfandel 1974
Total: 29814

24 White Varieties 

Variety

Acreage

Albarino*

81

Arnes

3

Chardonnay

2961

Chenin Blanc

162

Gewurztraminer

5

Grenache Blanc

114

Gruner Veltliner

15

Malvasia Bianca

15

Marsanne

16

Muscat Blanc

144

Muscat Orange

37

Picpoul Blanc*

17

Pinot Blanc

9

Pinot Gris

371

Roussanne*

83

Sauvignon Blanc

533

Semillon

1

St Emilion

2

Tocai Friulano

1

Verdelho

5

Vermentino

15

Viognier

359

White Riesling

75

Other

94

Total:

5118

Comparison Totals From The Crop Report For SLO In 2022

Wine Grape Crop 2022 & 2021

 

Crop

Year

Planted Acres

Bearing Acres

Total Production

Unit

Wine Grapes

2022

47,368

42,264

136,982

Ton

2021

46,507

41,302

166,473

Ton

Sixteen Tons, What Do You Get…Another Day Older And Deeper In Debt

According to the County of San Luis Obispo Annual Crop Report for 2022, which compares several grape types from 2021 Harvest to 2022 Harvest, this information was provided by growers and producers.

For most small vineyards, it is better to be conservative and use estimated yields of 3-5 tons per acre even though it is possible to have yields of 6 tons per acre.

HELPFUL INFORMATION: On average, one ton of wine grapes produces about 63 cases of wine, or 756 (750ml) bottles of wine.

 

Wine Grape Varietals 

Crop

Year

Bearing Acres

Yield/Acre (Tons)

Total Production

Chardonnay

2022

2,673

3,651

9,759

2021

2,658

5,141

13,665

Sauvignon Blanc

2022

981

9,854

9,667

2021

967

9,999

9,669

White Wine (Other)

2022

1,651

2,860

4,722

2021

1,531

4,000

6,124

Cabernet Sauvignon

2022

19,956

3,404

67,930

2021

19,344

4,205

81,342

Merlot

2022

3,133

3,092

9,687

2021

3,122

3,858

12,045

Pinot Noir

2022

2,095

2,838

5,946

2021

2,124

3,340

7,094

Syrah

2022

2,591

2,669

6,915

2021

2,575

3,534

9,100

Zinfandel

2022

2,017

2,133

4,302

2021

2,050

2,719

5,574

Red Wine (Other)

2022

7,167

2,519

18,054

2021

6,931

3,154

21,860

Source:  County of San Luis Obispo Annual Crop Report for 2022 Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures

As Of Tuesday, September 24, 2024

The County of San Luis Obispo issued the 2023 production statistics for the local agriculture industry on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. Crop values across the county reached a record high and for the first time in four years, wine grapes were the county’s most valuable crop. Wine grapes continue to be “one of the largest economic drivers in San Luis Obispo County.”

Leading Grape Varieties Crushed In California

Chart

Factors such as overall production, growing conditions, and market trends can impact crop values from year to year. A breakdown by varietal is shown in the following table.

Crop Year Bearing Acres Yield/Acre (Tons) Total Production
Chardonnay 2023 2,729 4,942 13,487
2022 2,673 3,651 9,759
Sauvignon Blanc 2023 1,073 7,620 8,176
2022 981 9,854 9,667
White Wine (Other) 2023 1,803 3,512 6,332
2022 1,651 2,860 4,722
Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 21,048 4,247 89,391
2022 19,956 3,404 67,930
Merlot 2023 3,069 3,949 12,119
2022 3,133 3,092 9,687
Pinot Noir 2023 2,185 2,955 6,457
2022 2,095 2,838 5,946
Syrah 2023 2,688 3,077 8,271
2022 2,591 2,669 6,915
Zinfandel 2023 2,015 2,326 4,710
2022 2,017 2,133 4,302
Red Wine (Other) 2023 8,076 2,792 22,548
2022 7,167 2,519 18,054