Napa Valley harvest: low yields and sugar levels

Napa Valley vintners are reporting a relaxed harvest, with many grapes being picked at lower sugar levels than usual.

Napa Valley growers are reporting a relaxed harvest, with many grapes being picked at lower sugar levels than usual.

At the harvest press conference in San Francisco, a spokesperson for the Napa Valley Vintners trade association (NVV) said 'initial reports are finding vintners and growers delighted with 2009 - from Albarino to Zinfandel and everything in between.'

Doug Shafer, of Shafer Vineyards, described the weather as 'boring', adding that 'in 29 years of doing this, the boring years weather-wise, turn out to make the best wine.'

'The Cabernet and Chardonnay acids were ideal at a Brix level one, several degrees below normal. It's great as far as we are concerned - we get the flavors at lower alcohols,' he added.

Growers are attributing the low yields throughout the valley to the moderate summer, giving the grapes the chance to develop proper acidity.

Michael Honig, of Honig Vineyard and Winery, praised the weather, saying 'the fruit got to ripen evenly and consistently so the flavors and the sugars came together at the right time. It's what we look for each year.'

'What brought my spirits up is that 2009 was not a large crop, but a little below average. If it had been a big one, it would have been a tough - there is already a large inventory of wine out there,' Honig added.