Napa County Winegrape Crop Value Down 50% Amid Fires, Pandemic

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Napa County saw a 50.7 percent decrease in agricultural production in 2020 and its winegrape crop was down 50.8 percent from the previous year, according to the annual Napa County Agricultural Crop Report released Tuesday.

The gross value of all agricultural production in 2020 in Napa County was $465.39 million, while the total value of its 2020 winegrape crop was $461.39 million — down $476.56 million from 2019 — according to the report presented Tuesday by Napa County Agricultural Commissioner Tracy Cleveland at the Board of Supervisors meeting.

Much of this decline, the report states, can be attributed to the direct damage caused by the local LNU Lightning Complex and Glass wildfires. Combined, the fires destroyed more than 900 Napa Valley homes, wineries and other businesses.

The report also attributes the decline in ag production in 2020 to the overall economic impact brought on by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

According to the report:

• Total winegrape production decreased by approximately 60,411 tons, or 37.8 percent from 2019.
• The total winegrape tonnage for the 2020 crop (99,311 tons from 45,241 bearing acres) was 36.2 percent lower than the previous 10-year average of 155,662 tons.
• The average price paid per ton for all winegrapes was $4,646, a 20.9 percent decrease from 2019.
• In 2020, the highest average price paid for a major Napa County winegrape variety was $7,097 per ton for Cabernet Franc. There were 1,161 bearing acres of Cabernet Franc in 2020.

Top Wine Grape Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc were the top three varieties in tonnage and total value. Together, the trio accounted for about 74 percent of all production and more than 80 percent of the county's total wine grape value in 2020.

According to the report:

• Approximately 47,563 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon —23,500 acres — were harvested and sold at an average price of $6,261 per ton.
• Chardonnay (5,860 acres) exceeded Sauvignon Blanc (2,756 acres) by 3,104 bearing acres, and sold at $575 more per ton on average.
• Sauvignon Blanc production was 11,289 tons, valued at an average of $2,453 per ton.
• Chardonnay production of 14,882 tons was valued on average at $3,028 per ton.

Value of Other Crops & Livestock

• Olive production was down by $276,400 in 2020. Growers cited the alternate growing year, poor fruit set due to fewer flowers, and olive fruit fly damage as possible factors for a substantial decrease in tons per acre produced in 2020.
• Livestock and poultry values decreased by $925,000 while field crops were down $53,600 from the previous year.
• Vegetable values increased by $27,200 while harvested acres decreased by approximately 8 percent.
• Floral and nursery production decreased in value by $337,300 while the production area decreased by over 46 percent.

Pest Exclusion & Pest Detection Activities

County staff continued to survey for all life stages of the Glassy-winged sharpshooter in 2020, the report states. This year, 1,880 plant shipments were inspected and released.

In spite of the rapidly and ever-changing landscapes of COVID-19 and two major fire disasters, staff serviced vitally important pest detection traps over 65,000 times in 2020, looking for pests that could harm the county’s agriculture and natural ecosystems, the report states.

Report Highlights

The report takes a look at some of the changes brought on by climate change and highlights how Napa County growers adapted and met those challenges.

Former Agricultural Commissioner Humberto Izquierdo, who moved on to a new position as ag commission for Yolo County, looked back on his many years of service in Napa County.

The county's Ag Department also said goodbye to two of its most valued UC Cooperative Extension staff, who retired in 2020.

The Crop Report Cover Art Contest has been held among Napa County students for more than 16 years. Because the coronavirus shelter-at-home order was in place during much of 2020, this year's cover features the art of the past five winners.

View the report online or in person at any of the county libraries or at the Agricultural Commissioner’s office, 1710 Soscol Ave., Suite 3 in Napa.