Rains soak California but grapes expected okay
Late October rains in California brought some relief to the drought-stricken state but created little immediate concern for the balance of California’s grape harvest.
The Delano, Calif., grape growing region in the Central San Joaquin Valley received about an inch of rain on Monday, Oct. 25, said John Pandol, director of special projects for Delano-based Pandol Bros. Inc.
“We stayed out Tuesday (Oct. 26) to let it dry out and returned to harvest Wednesday (Oct. 27), but about two hours later in the day than normal,” Pandol said Oct. 28.
Pandol said rains are a reality in the last quarter of the harvest, and most of the 15 million cartons of grapes that are still on the vine are covered with plastic. In addition, shippers have about a month’s worth of grapes already packed and in cold storage.
San Joaquin Valley temperatures in late October saw a range from lows in the 40s to highs in the 70s, which Pandol said is normal.
Though the chance for future rain and foggy conditions are variables, Pandol was optimistic about late season quality.
“A reality is our days are getting shorter, less than 11 hours of sunlight,” he said. “In the late season with morning dew a normal occurrence, we change from harvest starting at first light to starting mid-morning after the dew dries.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Oct. 27 prices for California white seedless grapes ranged from $18.95-22.95 per carton for extra-large size fruit, the same as last year at the same time.
