2012 Mendocino County Winegrape Harvest Slated To Be A Best In Years

As grape growers harvest this season's grape crop, dozens of Mendocino County wine leaders agree that the 2012 season is shaping up to be one of the best on record. A lack of rain late in the season, combined with warm days, cool nights and an ideal growing season have produced bountiful crops throughout this Northern California wine region. Known as the "Greenest Wine Region in North America," Mendocino County is home to 91 bonded wineries and 343 vineyard entities.

"It is a perfect season," said Martha Barra, owner of Barra of Mendocino/Girasole Vineyards in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County. "For us, brix, total acids and pH are all in balance. So often we have to really push things, but this year we have had no late rains. We were able to wait for perfect maturity, and winemakers in our region are really excited about making some incredible wines this year."

Barra's 100% estate grown, hand-picked certified organic grapes include the legendarily delicate and sought after Pinot Noir. Barra noted that they will have their entire harvest from their vineyards complete by October 20th.

In technical terms, winemakers use the term brix to measure the sugar content, and Barra is seeing measurements of 25 and above this season.

"It is such an even keeled season," said Zac Robinson, Husch Vineyards in Philo, CA. "This year it's what we call a grower's harvest. We're seeing super clean fruit, higher yields, no heat spikes, no rains and no surprises."

"We also operate a custom crush facility for growers throughout Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma Counties," said Barra."We are seeing the Zinfandel coming in late from all regions, but, in Mendocino County, picking of all other varietals is falling right in line with their usual maturity pattern.

Expansive, diverse, and off the beaten path, Mendocino is a rural county of striking natural beauty, friendly small towns and people who love and protect the land. Many farms are owned and cultivated by multiple generations of the county's historic farming families. Today Mendocino's grapegrowers stand out as leaders in sustainable/organic/Biodynamic farming.

Winemakers highly regard the quality of fruit produced naturally on unspoiled land by Mendocino's passionate grapegrowers. Winemakers create balanced, pure wines from grapes that express the individuality of Mendocino's 10 diverse appellations.