(Wines&Vines) - Like migrant workers following the crops, we continue our reports of the 2014 winegrape harvest in major California regions. As in Southern and Central California, grapes started coming in earlier than normal near San Francisco Bay and in points east and north.

As in earlier reports, drought was the major factor of concern throughout the season. Fortunately, rampaging wildfires seem to have spared vineyards. At least one grower suggested that water tables dropped by the drought had spurred the Napa earthquake in August.

Labor shortages were scarce. No pest or disease problems were reported. But who knew that the preferred grape variety of deer is Barbera, at least in Placer County?

Santa Cruz Mountains
Megan Metz, executive director of the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association, reported that the historic Mount Eden Vineyards experienced its earliest harvest in 70 years, starting on Aug. 4.

“Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon were all being harvested within a week for each variety,” Metz said. Growers expect the harvest to be 50% complete by Sept. 20, down 10%-20% from previous boom years, but of “great quality.”

The growing season started earlier than normal; drought and dry stressed soils affected yields. “Out of 18 wineries, labor was never an issue,” Metz said.

What made this crush different, she said, was the compressed harvest, with the three major varieties all achieving peak ripeness within weeks of each other.

Lodi
From the Sacramento Delta in the east, cooled by San Francisco Bay fog, Camron King, executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, shared insights from throughout the region.

“Harvest in Lodi is progressing at a very quick pace. Following an early bud break and great weather conditions throughout the growing season, harvest started early as well.

“Low-sugar whites for sparkling programs started coming off the vines in late July; as we progressed through August, harvest started in earnest. The drier than normal conditions created a scenario where many of our varieties are ripening close together; growers are working to pick fruit at optimal ripeness,” King said.