LAKE COUNTY >> When 90 degree days stretched over weeks through the spring and early summer, Lake County’s winegrape growers began speculating. Would the heat cause harvest to come even earlier than last year?
A dousing of rain — heavy in spots — and cool, gloomy weather last week may have jiggled the timeline a bit. But winemakers still believe this year’s crop is running one to three weeks early.
“We’re starting to see color change in the fruit,” observed Nick Buttitta of Rosa d’Oro in Kelseyville.
Depending upon the vineyard, harvest for Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah may begin the middle of next month.
Parts of the county were drenched last week, particularly the area around Clearlake Oaks and the northshore. The National Weather Service reported 1.53 inches of rain fell over a few hours in the vicinity of Upper Lake on July 8.
Other parts of the county remained dry.
“It seemed to be isolated,” said Michael Wood of Shed Horn Cellars, with vineyards near Middletown. “We got virtually nothing.”
Although highly adaptable — vines grow around the world — grapes respond to weather patterns and exposure to sun. This response can show up in the flavors of a varietal and vintage. A perfect growing season involves winter or spring rain, a summer with little moisture, few heat spikes and cool nights.
The recent rains and cloudy weather forced some adjustment in the fields —opening canopies, pulling leaves, a reapplication of nutrients. But other than a few incidents of storm related damage, most vineyards emerged unscathed.
As Wood pointed out, a day or two and the changes will be slight. But a week or two of a unique weather pattern and harvest dates will move.
“Overall I don’t think this changes the vintage,” agreed Mark Burch of Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill.
Yet there is an unknown lurking. Grapes prefer a dry and warm period leading up to harvest. Throughout the recent drought, conditions in Lake County have been near perfect in August and September.
This year, however, evidence points to a strong El Nino pattern, which could bring significant rain starting in the fall.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmosphic Administration, El Nino currently building in the Pacific could match 1997-98. In that period, Clear Lake topped 11 feet on the Rumsey Scale, causing widespread flooding.
In 1997 the ocean around the Pacific equator fueling El Nino averaged 1 degree warmer than normal through April, May and June. Currently the reading is at 1.6 degrees above normal.
“You need to be concerned,” Burch pointed out.
If heavy rains arrive earlier than anticipated, late ripening varietals such as Zinfandel and especially Petite Sirah may suffer.
“That’s an unknown,” Wood said of El Nino. “You just hope it holds off until most of the fruit is in.”
Still, most winemakers and vineyard operators remain optimistic.
“We will probably be OK,” Buttitta pointed out. “Farmers always worry. We tend to be that way.”
