The US consumed a record 300m cases of wine in 2006, according to latest government statistics – almost enough for the US to drink its way out of a six-year wine glut, say some reports.
The figure supports the belief that wine is a rapidly growing trend in the country.
‘Wine is finally entering the mainstream of American life,’ wine industry consultant Jon Fredrikson of California-based Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates told decanter.com.
In 2005 a Gallup poll saw wine edge ahead of beer as the favourite tipple of US consumers.
To read entire decanter.com article.
We combined a New Releases Open House with an exhibition of paintings by Garrett Speirs. Garrett spends half the year in Tuscany and the other half in Santa Barbara. Some of his larger canvases were inspired by a trip in David Lafond’s fishing boat up the coast following Highway 101. A view you can glimpse as you drive to the winery.
The inclement weather did not inhibit visitors and they were rewarded by Mirella’s great selection of food and, of course, wine. One of the interesting wines we tasted for, the first time, was a 2004 Lafond Vineyard Syrah / Grenache blend.
We planted a small block of Grenache seven years ago. Winemaker Bruce McGuire wanted to create a traditional Provence blend from our vineyard.
The wait was worth it.
Garrett Speirs paintings
To purchase wine
In what surely goes a long way to explain the explosion in new wineries…
Washington, D.C—A new report, The Impact of Wine, Grapes and Grape Products on the American Economy, shows that annual wine-related tourism expenditures in the United States have reached $3 billion. Compiled by MKF Research and sponsored by Wine Institute, WineAmerica, Winegrape Growers of America and the National Grape & Wine Initiative, the report was released at a press conference on Jan. 17.
The full article from Wines and Vines.
Talk about competition. Over 1000 new wineries in 2006 in North America — The US and Canada. A reflection of the increasing interest and, of course, consumption of wine.
San Rafael, Calif.—The wine industry is growing at an explosive rate, not only in California, but across the country and in Canada too. With the addition of 465 wineries in 2006, California showed the nation’s largest increase in new wineries during the last year, according to the 2007 Wines & Vines Directory/Buyer’s Guide. Washington’s winery tally rose by 65, a 22% increase. Oregon showed the third-largest growth, adding 49 new wineries for an increase of 22%.
An article in Wines and Vines which can be read in full.
This Saturday, January 27th we are having an Open House at the Lafond Winery and Vineyards to celebrate New Releases. The fact that most of these wines have been available for some time should not dampen the enthusiasm. Many we were obliged to release before, what we consider, sufficient bottle age. Now that they have reached some bottle maturity we are highlighting them all at this event.
The wines are:
2005 Lafond Vineyard Chardonnay
2004 Lafond Vineyard Syrah
2004 Lafond Vineyard Pinot Noir
2005 SRH Chardonnay
2005 SRH Syrah
2005 SRH Pinot Noir
In addition, Mirella has selected some wonderful cheeses, spreads, breads and more…..and if the weather is anything like it has been this week it should be a glorious day. But, no matter what, whether rain or sunshine, the wines will be great and the staff welcoming.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.lafondwinery.com/movies-flash/multi/multi.swf" width="500" height="400"/]
It’s not only the vineyard which looks bleak but the whole countryside. Normally in mid-january the mountains are green and rich with new vegetation from the rains. This year we have had almost zero rainfall. There is still hope, the rainy season extends to mid-april and we have occasionally benefited from late season rain.
Because we use drip irrigation and the water goes only to the plant the periphery can build up salt deposits. The rain leaches out these salts. With several dry years in succession the salt build-up can reduce the vigor of the plant.
That’s the negative side. The positive side is that we can better control irrigation, and reduce energy and water consumption.
The photo shows another view of the vineyards, the brown and grey hills in the background, and our pruners in the center of the vineyard.
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