Record winegrape crop set for California.

If estimates from the California Agricultural Statistics Service (CASS) are borne out, California will see a record winegrape crop of 2.70 million tons and a total crop of 5.8 million tons. The estimate for last year was 5.25 million tons with winegrapes accounting for 2.3 million tons. The actual

wine-grape total was closer to 2.2. million tons. Of the 5.8 million ton California total, 700,000 tons are of table type grapes and 2.40 millions are of raisin cultivars. The winegrape estimate is up 21% from the 1996 forecast. The Raisin Industry Diversion (RID) is not in effect this year. CASS reported maturity was ahead of normal thanks to a dry, warm spring, and that a good quality crop is expected.

On the pricing front, the Napa Valley Grape Growers Association (NVGGA) announced its recommended prices for the 1997 harvest. The recommended price range for Cabernet Sauvignon was $2,300-$2,500; $2,250-$2,300 for Cabernet franc; $2,200-$2,400 for Merlot; $2,000$2,300 for Pinot noir; $1,800-$2,000 for Sangiovese; $1,950-$2,100 for Zinfandel; $2,000-$2,200 for Chardonnay; $900$1,000 for Chenin blanc; $1,200-$1,400 for Sauvignon blanc; $1,200-$1,400 for Semillon and $1,000-$1,200 for White Riesling. The 1997 Growers Journal provides data on acreage, tonnage, and production costs and is available to nonmembers for $50 by calling the association at (707) 944-8311.

Cure for phylloxera?

* Greg Willis of Agri-Synthesis[R], Inc. has said his company has developed a cure - and proven it - for phylloxera in grapevines. He said his company's system will keep "phylloxerated vineyards in operation virtually indefinitely." The company's system is completely organic and works to achieve balance and fertility in the soil and is a variation of Bio-Dynamics. Willis cited yield increases of up to 500% the first year. He can be reached at (707) 258-9300 or by fax at (707) 258-9393. The mailing address is Box 10007, Napa, Calif. 94581.

LVMH proposal

* LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, Paris has suggested to Guinness PLC (Guinness) and Grand Metropolitan PLC (Grand Met) that Moet merge with United Distillers (UD) and International Distillers and Vintners (IDV) and that non-spirits and non-wine business be "demergered" into separate food and brewing companies. Specifically, LVMH proposed that Pillsbury, Burger King, Guinness Brewing and Drinksco be demergered, that Moet Hennessey be fully-integrated into UD and IDV and that the above would create "the world's leading focused, listed spirits and wine company." LVMH cited annual cost savings estimated at [pounds]65 million given full integration of Moet Hennessey with UD and IDV. The merged beverages group would have annualized sales of [pounds]7.4 billion (1995-96) and "an unrivaled drinks distribution network and would be a market leader in five out of six premium drinks categories." The LVMH proposal was announced July 24.

Felony update

* The states of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky, which made it a felony for an out-of-state winery or other supplier to ship wine directly to residents of those states, have come under fire from two quarters. Family Winemakers of California, which has about 300 members, has called for a boycott on all charity events, wine competitions and wine-related trade shows in the four states. Family Winemakers contends wholesalers in the states have a monopoly, thanks to the felony legislation, and that thanks to the shrinking number of wholesalers nationally, smaller, family-owned wineries cannot find distribution in such states.

In Sacramento, the California State Legislature has approved two resolutions calling for Florida to repeal its felony law. Both HR 36 and SR 17 contend the Florida felony legislation could put wineries out of business because, if convicted, a winery would lose its federal license because felons can't possess federal winemaking licenses. The resolutions were authored by Assemblywoman Valerie Brown (D-Kenwood), Sen. Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) and Assemblyman Tom Bordonaro (R-Paso Robles).

Table grape record

* California table grape shipments hit an all-time record of 806,000 boxes in one day, according to the Federal Market News. The previous record of 747,000 was set July 29,1996. The new record was set July 21 1997.

Early harvest

* Harvest was underway - the earliest in 16 years on the North Coast - in late July, thanks to a nearly perfect growing season. As of the week of July 21, at least grapes for champagne were being picked for Mumm Napa Valley and others. In general, grapes for champagne/sparkling wine are picked in August, with early varieties such as Chardonnay harvested in September. Per the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, spot market prices for grapes from the North Coast Grape Growers Association were, by variety and county: Chardonnay, Napa $2,100/ton; Sonoma, $1,850; Mendocino, $2,000 and Lake $1,550. For Cabernet Sauvignon, the recommended Napa price was $2,300; for Sonoma, $1,950; for Mendocino, $2,000 and for Lake, $1,650. Prices for Merlot ranged from $2,100 in Napa to $1,700 in Lake County. The range for Pinot noir was $2,200 in Sonoma to $1,950 in Mendocino (Lake Co. not available), and the range for Zinfandel was $1,900 in Sonoma to $1,500 in Lake County.

NATHANSON CREEK IS NEW FROM SEBASTIANI

Sebastiani Vineyards now is marketing its Nathanson Creek Cellars brand nationally to supermarkets and other retail outlets. The brand, named for the creek that runs behind the Sonoma, Calif. winery, had been an on-sale item.

In on-premise markets, the brand had grown to 200,000 cases, and the winery estimates total sales can reach one million cases.

The line includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Zinfandel and white Zinfandel. Both 1.5s and 750s are being marketed. Price for the 750 ml will range from $5-$8 at retail, depending on varietal and market, and $9-$11 for the 1.5L.

Nathanson Creek is to fit the market niche between the August Sebastiani Heritage line and the popular Vendange brand.

The July roll-out was supported by p-o-s materials plus targeted network and cable tv advertising.

WINES OF THE AMERICAS JUDGING ANNOUNCES WINNERS

Two Governor's Awards were presented at this year's (58th) Wines of the Americas wine judging held in late June as part of the 75th anniversary celebration of the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona.

The two awards went to Quady Winery, Madera, Calif. for Grappa, Spirit of Elysium, and to River Run Vineyards, Watsonville, Calif. for its 1996 Carignane.

A total of 1,885 wines were judged by the 40-member panel. Wines were entered from California, Canada, Illinois, New York State and Florida, among other states.

For information on complete results, call (909) 623-3111 or fax (909) 865-3602.

KENDALL-JACKSON MOVES IN LOUISIANA

Kendal-Jackson Winery, Ltd., based in Santa Rose, Calif., said it will register in Louisiana to ship wine directly to Louisiana consumers. The winery's action follows Louisiana's signing into law a bill that allows wineries to ship to Louisiana consumers for a fee paid to the state, plus tax payments, and a proviso that shipments are limited to 60 bottles per year to legal (of age) residents.

Dr. Linda F. Bisson, senior faculty member at the U.C., Davis campus, is the recipient of the Amerine Endowed Chair. The chair was endowed by the Ernest Gallo Foundation to honor Dr. Maynard A. Amerine, professor emeritus. Dr. Bisson's current work involves fermentation and yeast metabolism. She is a former chair of the Department of Viticulture and Enology.