2016 California final grape crush figures released March 10 by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) totaled 4,227,110 tons; that’s 9.3 percent higher than 2015 tonnage at 3,868,459. 

Red wine varieties were the lion’s share of the 2016 grape crush, totaling 2,278,593 tons - 11.6 percent higher than 2015. On the white varietal side, the crush figure was 1,752,554 tons, up 5.3 percent. 

Raisin grape crush tonnage was 98,205 tons, up 6.2 percent from 2015; while crushed table type varieties totaled 97,759/tons, up 38.3 percent from 2015. 

GRAPE PRICES

According to NASS, the 2016 average California grape price for all varieties combined was $762.84/ton, up 13.6 percent from the previous year.

2016 average prices per crop type were: red wine grapes at $918.34/ton, up 16.3 percent from 2015; white wine grapes at $598.07/ton, up 10.7 percent; raisin grapes - $213.64/ton, down 13.7 percent; and table grapes at $153.05/ton, down nearly 40 percent.

VAREITAL PERCENTAGE

In 2016, Chardonnay topped all varieties in total crush volume at 16.0 percent, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon at 13.4 percent. Meanwhile, the top raisin grape - Thompson Seedless  -was 2.0 percent of the total crush.

District 13, (Madera, Fresno, Alpine, Mono, Inyo Counties; and Kings and Tulare Counties north of Nevada Avenue (Avenue 192)), had the largest share of the state’s crush at 1,331,936 tons. The average price per ton in District 13 was $301.85.

AVERAGE PRICES

2016 grapes grown in District 4 (Napa County) received the highest average price - $4,685.58 per ton. District 3 grapes (Sonoma and Marin counties) received the second highest return of $2,590.23, up 6.1 percent.

NASS says individual varietal prices were:

2016 Chardonnay - $886.00/ton, up 12.4 percent;

Cabernet Sauvignon - $1,468.34/ton, up 11.5 percent;

Zinfandel - $604.52/ton, 5.1 percent higher; and

French Colombard – up 3.4 percent at $260.82/ton.

The entire Grape Crush Report is available online.