Napa and Sancerre harvest, both have big falls in volume but for very different reasons

Napa and Sancerre harvest, both have big falls in volume but for very different reasons. Napa has a 25-30% drop in volume at harvest due to drought, while Sancerre harvest is down 50% due to frost and rain causing mildew.

Napa’s drought has dropped production by up to 85% in some areas according to Aron Weinkauf, Spottswoode winemaker and vineyard manager in a report by Decanter magazine.

Michael Honig, president and CEO of Honig Vineyard and Winery in Napa said Sauvignon Blanc yields were around 30% down, with the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest expected to be around 10 to 15% smaller than in a more typical year.

Meanwhile Sancerre, in the Loire Valley, France, was hit hard by the same frost that caused so much damage in the rest of Europe. It was also hit by storms causing moulds and mildew just before harvest, meaning grapes swelled with extra water diluting flavours.

Wines made with careful attention to removing diseased fruit will tend to be green with higher acidity and lower alcohols. With only 50% of normal production, growers who sell typically to tourists should be able to rely on unsold stock from the previous vintage, when sales were heavily hit by the Covid pandemic.