The 2024 wine grape harvest delivers high quality, Modesto columnist reports
The 2024 wine grape harvest got off to an early start in many regions following a rainy winter, a cool spring and a warm summer. While some appellations experienced late-season weather events that led to reduced yields, vintners across the state are reporting a high-quality vintage for 2024, according to the Wine Institute’s Annual Harvest Report.
California produces about 80% of the nation’s wine, making it the world’s fourth-largest wine producing region. More than 90% of the state’s wine is made in a Certified California Sustainable winery and over 65% of the state’s roughly 610,000 vineyard acres are certified to one of California’s sustainability programs. California’s nearly 6,000 wine grape growers produce more than 100 varieties grown in 154 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) throughout the state.
2025 SFCWC winners
The largest competition for North American Wines, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, celebrated its 25th anniversary this year with 5,500 entrees. Here are the Sweepstake Medal Winners:
Sparkling — Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir California, which also won last year.
White Wine — A tie with Los Positas Vineyards 2023 Albarino Estate Reserve Livermore Valley and V. Sattui 2023 Dry Riesling Mt. Veeder Napa Valley
Rose — Eberle 2024 Cotes-du-Robles Rose Grenache Paso Robles
Red Wine — A tie with Val du Vino Winery 2022 Barbera Calaveras County and the Rippey Family Vineyards 2023 Grenache Abba Vineyard Lodi
Specialty — Castello di Amoroso 2023 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer Anderson Valley
Packaging — Benson Vale 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley.
To find more results like Best of Class winners, Double Golds, Golds, etc. go to www.winejudging.com and just scroll down to your favorite winery. What I like about the SFC competition is that the wines compete within the suggested retail price, making it very consumer friendly,
What’s On Our Table
The Navigator and I were surprised when we were given a bottle of Lodi Carmenere from the Michael David Winery. The gift was from two former students. We first tasted Carmenere wines on our trip to Chile in 2009. We were not aware it was grown locally. Carmenere is a very old variety from Bordeaux. It would be extinct had it not been mistaken for Merlot in Chile when it was planted in the 19th century. A DNA research in 1994 proved that what they thought was Merlot was Carmenere. Today, Chile grows 75% of all Carmenere worldwide and France now has less than 20 acres. Michael David’s tasting notes stated the 2022 Carmenere offers enticing aromas of raspberry, red current and black pepper. It’s medium bodied with flavors of bright red fruit, coffee, vanilla with a long, spice-inspired finish. We enjoyed the wine and the generous couple received a well earned A+ grade.
Two $4.99 steals at the Grocery Outlet are the 2021 Ghost Pines Pinot Noir by the Louis M. Martini Winery and the French 2022 Marius Rose by Michael Chapoutier. The Pinot Noir is 60% Sonoma fruit and 40% from Yolo County. It’s a bit heavy but has a velvety finish. The rose is a perfect South France pinkie. If you’re a Cabernet Franc fan and can’t find one under $20, check out Trader Joe’s 2023 Platinum Reserve Cabernet Franc Lot #120 from Paso Robles. Its under $10. Cheers!
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM.