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BUNCH COUNT SUMMARY Allied's 2009 San Joaquin Valley bunch count summary is contained in the first table below. The second table shows the percent change from 2008. For each of the major varieties we have numerous sample ranches, and each ranch has numerous vines we sample. This bunch count summary includes the San Joaquin Valley from Lodi to Bakersfield and is broken into regions, as described below. Allied does not do bunch counts in the coastal regions due to the fact that most growers adjust their crop load significantly in those regions throughout the growing season to meet winery expectations for cropload and quality. For some of the varieties in certain districts we have entered "N/A". This means that either there are little to no grapes of that variety grown in that district, we have insufficient or questionable data regarding that variety in that district or the data we gathered was categorized and presented in an alternative category. The following are average bunch counts per vine taken from various ranches in 2009.
In general, the 2009 bunch counts for winegrapes look stronger than 2008. 2008 was indeed a light crop overall, but many in the industry attribute that more to the perils of Mother Nature than specific bunch counts. On the surface, 2009 bunch counts indicate that California may have a crop with good production potential. Of course, with a third consecutive drought season challenging us it will be hard for many vineyards to produce the kind of tonnage that we experienced in a water-abundant year like 2005. The stage may be set early for a crop that could achieve average or better size in the interior regions, which may bode well for the supply-hungry lower end of the wine market. Our 2009 bunch counts indicate that many of the major varietals show strong potential, with percent increase rates mostly in the double digits. Many of the red varieties - Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Rubired, Ruby Cabernet and Syrah all show good potential with unquestionable increases in bunches over 2008. Whites on the other hand are variable, with Chardonnay up in the North Valley but barely up in the South/Central Valley. Chenin Blanc counts indicate only a slight increase while Colombard seems up in the South/Central Valley but down in the North Valley. Other whites show minor moves up or down, but Thompson Seedless is undoubtedly lighter, with that being the full expectation, after last year's BUMPER crop. Oddly, White Zin counts were down in the Central and South Valley, but up in the North Valley and Lodi. It should be noted that although cluster counts are higher than last year, the impact of another dry winter coupled with the unknown heat, wind and rain perils of Mother Nature as well as significantly less available water in the state's irrigation systems may impact crop development as we move toward harvest. Bunch counts are only the first indication of potential crop size.
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