(Wines&Vines) - The historically early sparkling grape harvest in Napa County prompted reports from Central Coast growers. At least one winery in Santa Barbara County also harvested this week, according to Rajat Parr, co-owner of the 500-case Sandhi Wines in Lompoc, Calif.

Parr called it. Yields this year are “very small,” Parr said, calling the July 22 pick “our earliest harvest ever.”

“The grapes seemed ripe, with lots of acidity, at 17.5° Brix,” he added.

David Potter, winemaker and owner of 2,500-case Municipal Winemakers in Santa Maria, Calif., shared more detail. “Overall, I’d say harvest date looks a little earlier than ‘normal,’ but nowhere near as early as last vintage. We typically make our first pick for sparkling in Mid-August at around 18°-19° Brix. This is for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. What looked like an early year a few months ago due to exceptionally warm winter and early bud break seems to have slowed down a bit due to cooler weather during flowering and fruit set.”

He compared this year to recent harvests. “We are coming off three big harvests in a row, and while this year’s crop appears to be smaller than the past couple years, it is still what I would consider to be in the ‘normal’ range—a bit surprising considering the prolonged drought.”

Nevertheless, “Some sites just saw some rain the past couple days, and high humidity has been hanging around, so more spray will be needed to keep disease pressure down.”

Michael Hartmann, director of sales and marketing at 30,000-case Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards in Buellton, Calif., consulted with his winegrower and suggested, “We have not made a final decision if we will be making a sparkling from this vintage. The Pinot Noir crop is looking light this year and may be in short supply. Chardonnay is doing well and may be a larger percentage of the blend, if we proceed with making a sparkling.

“Sparkling wine is a small part of our business, and we don’t necessarily make a vintage each year. We currently have stock in inventory to carry us for a while, plus we have some wine from previous vintages still on tirage,” Hartman said.