Here are the key findings from the latest BC wine crop report. Note the metrics are based on responses from only half the wineries.
Tonnage:
- There was only a minor increase in total wine grape tonnes over 2013. Surprising when we have heard from multiple sources how 2015 was a bountiful harvest! The 2015 crop may have been reduced by frost damage early in 2015 or late in 2014.
- Big decrease in Merlot tonnage, replaced by Pinot Noir. Note the comments below from both Winemakers and Wine Enthusiasts on the Pinot Noir increase. A little surprising as Cabernet Franc has the better yield than Pinot and a $300/ tonne price advantage. However, Merlot is still 34% of the red crop.
- 40% of the crop was from the Oliver production area. Down from 48% in 2013. Cooler climate grapes are more in demand?
Value:
- The total value of wine grape crop unchanged over 2013 at $69M.
- The highest selling price > Red was Malbec, White >Viognier and Semillon.
While the directional changes in the crop tonnage make sense, the large change in tonnages versus 2013 may be the fact that only 52% of the wineries participated in the survey.
I would be really interested in any comments from BC wine drinkers or winemakers.
Source: 2015 British Columbia Wine Grape Crop Report.