The Wine Institute

Find Wineries by 43 Wine Varietals and Blends at discovercaliforniawine.com

SAN FRANCISCO – Although California Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot are still by far the most popular varietal wines in the U.S., comprising more than half of all California table wine sold in the U.S last year,* recent data shows that the state’s winegrowers and vintners are increasingly catering to wine enthusiasts’ thirst for varietal diversity. From winegrape acreage to the annual crush, a new crop of “emerging” varietal wines such as Pinot Gris/Grigio, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Tempranillo are gaining in wine production all over the Golden State. Vintners are also increasingly blending new combinations of popular and less-familiar varietals.

      “Because of the cultural diversity of California’s growers and vintners, it’s only natural that the state would become a “melting pot” of varietal wines,” says Karen Ross, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, who notes that today the state grows more than 110 winegrape varieties. “As winegrape growing passes from generation to generation, California growers’ understanding of which varieties grow best in their regions, AVAs and vineyards has increased exponentially, resulting in the introduction and resurgence of a wide range of varieties.”

      “American wine consumers are branching out. They still enjoy their favorites – Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Merlot – but have become more adventurous and are more willing to try other varietals such as Pinot Grigio, Riesling and Petite Sirah to name just a few,” says Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, President and CEO of Wine Institute, who points out that one of the best places to find out which wineries are producing these varietals is on Wine Institute’s web site at http://www.discovercaliforniawine.com/wineries where consumers can search California wineries by 43 different wine varietals and blends. This site’s database brings up producers of varietals such as: Grenache, 48 wineries; Gewurztraminer, 32 wineries; Muscat/Moscato, 57 wineries; Petite Sirah, 136 wineries; Pinot Gris/Grigio, 82 wineries; Pinot Noir, 234 wineries; Riesling, 41 wineries; Sangiovese, 98 wineries; Syrah, 315 wineries; Tempranillo, 36 wineries; Viognier, 123 wineries; and the listings are growing.

      These emerging varietal wines are a natural outcome of California’s ideal yet varied climate and soil for growing winegrapes. A central fact of California winegrowing is the long Pacific Ocean coastline, stretching nearly 780 miles from Oregon to Mexico. With 108 American Viticulture Areas (AVAs), more than 4,600 winegrape growers and an estimated 3,000 bonded wineries, California grows winegrapes in 46 of its 58 counties. Its tumultuous geologic history yields more than 2,000 distinct soil types, and each AVA is distinguished by climate, soil structure, topography and elevation. The cooling ocean fog and breezes moderate the state’s steady sunshine. Combined with the north-south axis of the coastal mountains and inland valleys, these conditions create a temperate climate where winegrapes thrive. Unlike some Old World wine regions, California growers and vintners are free from regulations that dictate where and how certain varietals can be grown, enabling greater flexibility in matching winegrapes to the right soils and microclimates.

      Restaurants in particular have been on the leading edge of featuring and promoting lesser-known varietals. “Restaurants find that putting unconventional varietals on the wine list is a competitive advantage; they use it to attract customers,” says Ronn Wiegand, MW, MS, and publisher of Restaurant Wine, who notes the trend has taken hold at fine dining establishments from coast to coast. “Like a chef always trying new ingredients, restaurants use these “discovery” wines to increase excitement about the dining experience.”

About Wine Institute
      Established in 1934, the Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of 1,100 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiate and advocate state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. The Wine Institute membership represents 85 percent of U.S. production and 90 percent of U.S. wine exports. For more information about Wine Institute, go to www.wineinstitute.org.

About The California Association of Winegrape Growers
      Established in 1974, the California Association of Winegrape Growers represents the growers of more than 50 percent of the gross grape tonnage crushed for wine and concentrate in California. The statewide association is an advocate for farmers, providing leadership on public policies, research and education programs, sustainable farming practices and trade policy to enhance the California winegrape growing business and our communities. For more information about CAWG, visit www.cawg.org.

EMERGING CALIFORNIA VARIETAL WINES

¹ More than 110 winegrape varieties are crushed in California.
² California Grape Crush Report

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Sources:
*Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates
*California Department of Food and Agriculture:
California Grape Acreage Report-2007 Crop at http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/California/Publications/Fruits_and_Nuts/index_prev_gab.asp and
2008 California Grape Crush Report at http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/California/Publications/Grape_Crush/Final/index.asp

Other Media Contacts:
Mora Cronin
707/227-2641
moracronin@comcast.net

Kate Jones
707/433-4173
katejones@pon.net

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