(WesternFarmPress) - Despite indications of this year’s slightly larger than average crop, overall, the market for California’s wine grape crop appeared to be stable as the harvest continued into mid-September, reports Glenn Proctor, a partner with wine and grape brokerage firm, Ciatti Company, San Rafael, Calif.

“Signing of long-term contracts and spot sales have been active throughout the year, especially the coastal areas where demand for many varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, has been relatively strong,” he says.

Last year’s light Central Coast crop has stimulated good buying activity there for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Proctor estimates production in some premium areas for those varieties fell nearly 30 percent below 2014 levels. At the same time, case good sales of bottles priced above $10 have continued to grow, Proctor notes.

Although the market for Central Valley grapes has been better than expected, it hasn’t been nearly as active as on the coast.

Among the actively-selling Central Valley varieties in the last few months have been Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, he says.

“Some of the early-harvested crop in the southern area of the Valley, like Chardonnay, has been light,” Proctor says. “So buyers replaced some of that with Chardonnay from Lodi and other areas where that variety was still available.”

Increasing interest in certain Central Valley grapes is also coming from coastal buyers, he notes.