How is the change in climate affecting 2021?
Over the last decade, according to the Farmers Almanac, the Central Coast has been impacted by severe drought conditions pushing the grape harvest season further into fall. This has impacted the community of vintners in a variety of ways forcing wineries to evolve.
Dry land farming, water collection, and digging wells deeper to allow farming to continue are just a few changes that vintners have had to make. Some even adapting by replacing vines with more resilient draught tolerant clones.
Each year wineries see lower yields and this season is no exception, as a result of the continuing draught, but many have found the fruit from the vine to be just as potent in flavor with sugars building up more than expected. Though they may bottle less wine this year, vintners in Paso Robles say the harvest will be remembered for its fruit forward, sugar high wines that will wow with a bounty of flavor.
"We are seeing smaller grape sizes, and the cluster development that is about the same as last year," said Bianchi Winery's Assistant Wine Maker, Todd as he walked up to the Cabernet Sauvignon vines. "The big difference this year, is that we will be harvesting about a month later than last year, as the fruit is taking longer to mature on the vine due to the change in climate. The fascinating thing is that we are getting the sugar content we wanted even without the rain fall totals we usually see. The fruit is packed full of flavor. "
Like many wineries in the area, Bianchi is working with the new normal and moving forward to produce wine that may be as fruity and flavorful as the 2007 Paso Robles vintage.
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