NAPA CO.: WINE GRAPE PRODUCTION DOWN IN 2008 BUT PRICE PER ACRE INCREASED

The total value of crops and livestock in Napa County decreased 15.1 percent, or about $73 million in 2008 led by a 15.4 percent reduction in wine grape production, according to the Napa Cou million decrease.

Agricultural officials said the spring frost last year caused the wine grape production decrease.

The 2008 crop report was presented to the county's Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

Wine grape production is 97.7 percent of the value of all crops and livestock in the county. Wine grape production in 2008 was $399,913,100. The value of all crops and livestock in the county last year was $409,275,500.

While wine grape production and tonnage was down, the price per acre increased.

The average price paid per ton of all wine grapes was $3,451.57 compared to $3,256.78 per ton in 2007 -an increase of 6 percent. Grapes produced in Napa County received the highest average price of any grape-growing district in the state for the 33rd consecutive year.

The total wine grape tonnage for 2008 was 115,864.2 tons from 42,870 bearing acres, 13.6 percent lower than the previous 10-year average. Production or yields per acre also decreased 20.2 percent.

The value of most other crops and livestock decreased since 2007. Olive acreage increased 4.7 percent but production was down. Vegetable production, floral and nursery production also decreased. Small increases were seen in pasture, rangeland and livestock.

Organic wine grape production was at 699 acres, a net gain of 11 vineyards in 2008. The numbers do not include many vineyards that use organic practices and qualify for organic certification but whose owners do not choose official certification.

Only two glassy-winged sharpshooter egg masses were found among 2,755 plant shipments last year, agricultural officials said. The insect is a threat to the wine grape industry.