Wine grape harvest off 40%

Early reports that the quantity of wine grapes was down this season, proved to be true following conclusion of the harvest.

Frost was the key ailment of crops this year and caused an estimated 40 percent reduction in wine grapes in Mendocino County, Paige Poulos of the Mendocino Winegrape and Wine Commission said.

"We will know hard numbers on that when the crop report comes out," she said.

Poulos said reports she's receiving are that quality is excellent. "There are overall reports of very good quality," Poulos said, "but not enough of it."

Although the overall loss is about 40 percent, some with grapes remained virtually unscathed and others lost everything. Poulos said percentages lost ranged from 3 to 5 percent to 100 percent.

Future effects of 2008's frosts remain to be seen. Poulos said it is unknown what kind of crop set can be anticipated in 2009 and 2010.

When frosty weather was left behind for summer's heat, effects from 21 straight days of frost lingered. Poulos said that water used for frost protection left ponds short of water during summer months.

According to the Mendocino County Crop report on 2007 crops, chardonnay was the most common grape variety with a sum of 18,108.4 tons. Cabernet sauvignon was second in tons with 9,541.2. Merlot was third in tons with 6,542.3 tons harvested in 2007.