Napa County

Wines & Vines, Feb, 1991 by Ed Weber

The 1990 season began with heightened concerns over the continuing drought and its potential impact on winegrape production. Unseasonably heavy rains during May recharged most of our soils but came at the expense of fruit production. The rains hit during bloom and led to significant crop reductions, particularly in Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc.

Summer and fall conditions were ideal for fruit development and ripening. The harvest yielded fruit of excellent quality starting with the early harvest of Chardonnay and Pinot noir for sparkling wine and continuing on through the harvest for still wine. Wines from the 1990 vintage promise to be the finest in recent years.

The continuing drought has left many reservoirs empty and wells pumping salty water. There will be a serious shortage of water from reservoirs for frost protection and irrigation unless rainfall returns to normal levels.

Type B phylloxera now infests hundreds of acres throughout Napa County and has led to the removal of 400-500 acres of vineyards. Spread will continue and most vineyards planted on AxR#1 rootstock will likely be replanted in the next 10-15 years.

A winery definition ordinance was approved by the county which requires that at least 75 % of the grapes processed at new wineries built on agricultural lands be grown in Napa County.

The county is formulating a hillside development ordinance which would include regulations on hillside vineyards. Concerns include soil erosion, loss of watershed and wildlife habitat, and water quality, among others.