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
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 |
Sources:
California Grape Crush Final Report March 8, 2024 for 2023 by the California Department of Food and Agriculture
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/California/Publications/Specialty_and_Other_Releases/Grapes/Crush/Final/2023/2023_Final_Grape_Crush_Report.pdf