Record rains this spring and a cool summer resulted in the latest harvest start in recent memory. But, the longer hang time – which allows flavors to develop – has winemakers from Paso Robles to Ventura County feeling bullish on Vintage 2023.
PASO ROBLES, Calif. (Sept. 27, 2023) – Solterra Strategies, a public relations and marketing firm representing wineries, tourism destinations and marquee wine events throughout the Central Coast, is pleased to share this harvest report from the top winemakers and wine-grape growers in the Paso Robles, Santa Maria and Ventura County American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).
Overall, Central Coast winemakers and growers are reporting 2023 marks the latest harvest start time in decades, with major picks occurring an average of five weeks later than normal.
“To put it in perspective, this is first year I’ve had Labor Day off,” said Dieter Cronje, Winemaker at Presqu’ile Winery in Santa Maria, Calif. “We’ve just begun and are currently four to five weeks behind last year – the extended timeline could increase with the mild weather we’re experiencing.”
The springtime’s cold temperatures and record rains delayed the grapes from “setting” in the spring, and the summer’s cooler-than-normal temperatures significantly slowed ripening.
“The 2023 growing season is the coolest since 2011,” said Bob Tillman, Founder of Alta Colina in Paso Robles. “In fact, heat accumulation (Growing Degree Days) trailed 2011 until mid-July when normal summer temperatures first appeared.”
After years of drought conditions, the record rains the region saw in early 2023 were more than welcome. But with grapes, the winter and spring rains don’t affect the current year’s fruit production, but the following year’s crop. So, many growers are reporting lower yields this year, but are forecasting a bumper crop in 2024.
“The buds we saw in the much drier 2022 season determined 2023’s shoots and clusters,” said McPrice “Mac” Myers, Founder and Winemaker at McPrice Myers in Paso Robles. “So, we’ll see smaller yields this year. Still, the rain did help this year’s canopies, and naturally balanced the crop load. We were very thankful for the rain, which is critical to maintaining overall vine health.”
Martin Ramirez, Head Viticulturist at Ojai Mountain in Ventura County, agrees. “Our vineyard is exceptionally lush this year, and all this vigor should benefit next year’s berries. On a positive note, lowering yields during the first seven years of growth can benefit a young vineyard like ours in the long run.”
Despite lower-than-forecasted yields, and a delayed start – the longer hang time has winemakers champing at the bit over 2023’s potential. That’s because a gradual and longer ripening allows grapes to retain acid and develop strong and often complex flavors.
“The long hang time will help with flavors for sure, said Kevin Jussila, Owner and Winemaker at kukkula in Paso Robles. “We are excited how things are shaping up with the acids; they seem to be pretty high, and this could be a big, big plus.”
“The extended hang time has definitely helped develop concentrated flavors,” noted Sherman Thacher, Founder and Winemaker at Thacher in Paso Robles. “Thanks to this year’s conditions, there’s a larger overall variation in berry size that will add to complexity and color, too. This could be a stellar vintage.”
