California
California Wine Leading Grape Varieties
Leading Grape Varieties and
Districts
In 2009, Chardonnay accounted for the
largest percentage of the total crush
volume with
17.8 percent. Zinfandel accounted for
the second leading percentage of crush
with 10.9 percent of the total crush.
The next eight highest percentages of
grapes crushed were all wine varieties.
District 13, (Madera, Fresno, Alpine,
Mono, Inyo counties; and Kings and
Tulare counties north of Nevada Avenue
(Avenue 192)), had the largest share of
the state's crush, at 1,344,514 tons.
The average price per ton in district 13
was $247.86.
Grapes produced in District 4 (Napa
County) received the highest average
price of $3,414.58 per ton, down less
than 1 percent from 2008. District 3
(Sonoma and Marin counties) received the
second highest return of $2,186.61, down
2 percent from 2008. The 2008 Chardonnay
price of $757.82 was down 7 percent from
2008, and the Cabernet Sauvignon
price of $1,078.09 was down 3 percent
from 2008. The 2009 average price for
Zinfandel was $464.00, up less than 1
percent from 2008, while the Merlot
average price was down 4 percent from
2008
at $625.64 per ton.