There was a record 3.32 million tonnes of wine grapes crushed in vintage 2000
in California, 27% up from the 2.6 million tonnes crushed in 1999 and topping
the previous 2.9 million tonne record of 1997. However, statewide, the average
price per tonne was down to $568.48 last year, compared to $589.82 per tonne
in 1999. And, according to some, likely to keep falling for the next few years
as a wave of record harvests based on increased acreage could push prices down
at a rapid rate.
There were 732,257 acres of producing vineyards in 1999 compared to 645,558 acres in 1995 |