A lack of wet, especially cold conditions this winter could push up California's table grape harvest this year. Though an early start would have California's crop competing more with the tail-end of the Chilean import season, light supplies from Chile aren't likely to impact California's season much.“On a typical year, harvesting doesn't start until the end of the first week in May,” said Rob Spinelli of Anthony Vineyards. “But it's been dry the last couple of winters, so we're looking to start in Coachella at the end of April or beginning of May.” California growers will compete more with Chilean imports on red varieties, but Spinelli thinks green varieties won't have as much competition, even with the early start.
“They had late rains in Chile that caused quality issues,” said Spinelli. “There will be high demand for green grapes because there has been a light supply on Chilean greens.” Similarly, demand for organic grapes is expected to be strong at the start of the season. Because Chilean grapes have to be fumigated in order to enter the United States, there is no organic supply coming from Chile, and that has left a gap in the market that California's growers will take advantage of when the season gets going.
“We will have organic grapes from May to December,” said Spinelli, “and because there really haven't been organic grapes for several months, there will be an empty pipeline with much demand.”
For more information:
Rob Spinelli
Anthony Vineyards
+1 661 858 8300