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Colorado's grape growers have harvested the biggest grape crop since prohibition, and winemakers are reporting excellent qualities. The Colorado wine industry rebounded from a disappointing 2002 by setting a new record with the 2003 vintage.
Preliminary results from the 2003 Colorado Wine Grower Survey conducted by Colorado State University (Caspari, unpublished) suggest a total wine grape production of 1,200 to 1,500 tons. The low estimate of 1,200 tons would be an increase of 33% over the previous record, set in 2001.
The large crop is due in part to low levels of winter and spring damage, and in part due to a continued expansion of vineyard area. Still, a number of vineyards did not produce to their full potential in 2003 as some vines were still recovering from the drought/winter injuries of 2001/02 while other vineyards are still young. For the first time in many years, the supply tightly matched the demand for Colorado-grown grapes. There are now 50 wineries in Colorado, ten more than a year ago.
Other good news is that the average grape price appears unchanged from the previous year although there were some ups and downs depending on varietiy. Prices for Merlot, the dominant variety in Colorado, softened while those for Chardonnay, ranked second in planted area, increased. The vineyard area continues to expand at a steady rate. Shiraz and Pinot gris are the leading new varieties, accounting for 24 and 21% of 2003 plantings.
Dry weather during spring and summer resulted in a low disease pressure with some growers reporting zero spray applications for the entire year. However, flea beetles (Altica foliacea LeConte) caused substantial damage in some new plantings in several areas of Colorado and New Mexico (with BIG damage to ornamental plants along the Front Range). This is the first time that this species has been identified as a pest in Colorado vineyards. It is normally found on plants of the family Onagraceae which includes evening primrose, a prevalent native plant in our desert environment.
For the latest information on Colorado's vineyards visit CSU's Western Colorado Research Center's web site, or www.coloradowine.com for information on our wineries. Call 720.304.3406 for more information on Colorado wines.
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