The stress continues to build for most California grape growers.
An earlier entry dated July 27th, "The 2010 Grape Growing Season So Far," mentioned the unseasonably cool summer in most of coastal California (where most of the premium wine grapes come from).
For Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, June's high temperatures were about four degrees below the average for the month, but July was seven degrees below average. June and July's average highs were about 75 degrees. This is the chilliest summer in about 50 years.
Long range forecast is for the same at least through mid-August.
Some vineyards in the cooler areas of the county--the Russian River and the Sonoma Coast appellations-- are reporting rot from the cool, moist air. These cooler growing areas are where you generally find Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Latest word is the grapes are about three weeks behind in development.
Article on the problems from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
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