Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01
THE GRAPE INDUSTRY.
THE DISABILITIES OF GRAPE
CULTURE In CALIFORNIA.
Siticulture and Raisin Producing
Likely to Exceed in Value all
Other Industries in the State.

Written for the New Years RECoRD-JSIo by
a. Wetmore, Chief Viticultural Officer for
California
Concerning the present condition and
immediate future prospects of viticultural
industries in this State much might be
written by way of comment or discussion
upon questions that are debatable. and
which would be more or less interesting to
the public. Such matters require, however,
too much elaboration for the present occa-
sion. | will therefore confine myself to
concise statements bearing directly upon
practical results of development achieved
and now in progress.
AREA OF vINEYARDs-PRosP OF vISr-
AGES.
Our recent systematic efforts to procure
correct statistics are yet incomplete Fairly
conceived estimates, however, indicate that
there are about 10000 acres now planted
to grape vines throughout the State. of
which not exceeding ten per cent. are
planted to varieties intended for production
OF fresh table fruit and raisins The finest
| table grapes are among those finer varieties
planted for wine-making, but are not very
largely used for the fruit market, because
they Will not endure transportation over
long distances. The local markets are
to some extent supplied from the wine
vineyards. About two-thirCls of the vine
yards have been planted during the last
four years, SO it may be said that not
more than one-third are in full
bearing condition; the remainder are
so proporlloned, as to age, that
the increase Of production-if the vintage
of 1885 had been an average one-wouid
| show steady ratio of progress. 1t is prob
able that the increase of 1886 will represent
AS compared with 1SS4-a more sudden
development than may be expected by
many. The wine crop of 1884 was about
| 100000 gallons; it should have been.
under favorable circumstances at least
100000 gallons in 1885, but fell off to
about 100000 gallons. In 1886 we NAV
expect at least 5000, 900, possibly 10000
| 900 gallons. Estimating on the basis of
present area of vineyards, within four
years we should have an average of 80 OOO,-
600 gallons. The planting of new vines
/ which will certainly continue, but at less
rate of progress-will probably bring cur
vintage up 10 100000 gallons and posi-
bly, more, within ten years. The raisin
product is more uncertain, but will show
marked increase each year as new vines
come into bearing. 1t is impossible to fore
| tell the growth OF the raisin industry for
two reasons, viz, the Muscatel grape, of
which the greater part of the raisins are
made, is largely used in shipments of fresh
fruit, and also this variety is exceedingly
susceptible TO local influences as to profit
| able culture-in many places, where it has
been tried, it must be abandoned or grated
| over to wine varieties. This difficulty with
raisin culture is not peculiar to California
there Is only small part of the European
| vineyard lands where it is successful
1t should be noted that the short wine
| vintage OF 1888 was not regretted by our
producers. The industry was unprepared
for an increase such as was expected, which
fact accounts for the demoralized feeling
which caused low prices to be paid for wine
grapes, although the prices for new wines
since the vintage have been exceptionally
good. Our producers are rapidly learning
that the business of wine-making cannot
safely be separated from vine-growing.
Those who have anticipated fortunes to re-
suit from the sale of wine grapes. and who
| have reserved no funds for the construction
OF facilities for winemaking, are the real
cause OF all that is uncertain as to profits of
the industry generally during the next few
years. Their remedy is to provide ade-
quate facilities for storing one crop of wine
at least one year, with sufficient room for
making the new wine which comes in dur
ing that time. 1t is true that 4 large part
| OF the vintage of ordinary wines will al
ways find market during the wear follow
ing the vintage but it is the inability of the
producer to carry one crop until it is ready
for consumption, that compels forced sales
to capitalists, who can easily calculate the
amount that must be thrown upon the
market within given time. The producer
generally is not expert enough to prepare
wines for direct shipment to the consuming
markets within the year following the
vintage, and must wait for the following
year. 1t is part of our plans to encourage
throughout the Eastern States the estab-
lishment of wine cellars, under competent
management, so that new wines may be
received in them, and kept until ready for
the retail and jobbing trade; but at present
there are few places in Eastern cities where
such wines can be taken and nursed during
their youth. Until such cellars (which
might be called nurseries) are to be found,
our wines must stay either at the place of
production, or in the cellars of San Fran
cisco capitalists, until ready for consump-
ton.
Those who may read these remarks will
be able readily to see in what lines new
capital should be invested during the COM
ing few years, viz:
First-Increased facilities for wine-mak-
ing and storage at the places of production
Second-More wineries for the purchase
OF grapes from many who will not be pre-
pared to make their own vintages.
Third-lncreased wholesale business in
or near San Francisco and southern ship
ping points, for the purchase and storage of
new wines.
Fourth-In all cities and towns of five
thousand or more Inhabitants throughout
the Eastern, Middle Western and Southern
States, the development of legitimate and
exclusive wine trade, with cellars and com
petent cellar-nasters to become imme-
diately connected with wine makers
| Fifth-Necessarily in connection with
the Eastern trade the creation and educa-
ton of a critical and trustworthy corps of
wine brokers, as well as commission mer-
chants.
Sixth-The temporary diversion of CAPT.
tai seeking investment in vineyards away
from unimproved land to properties al
ready planted, so that by partial sales vine
growers may acquire the means 10 con-
struct wineries and cellars, when they
have otherwise no funds for the purpose.
NO DANGER OF ovER-PRoDUcTIoN, But FEAR
OF INSUFFICIENT FACILITIES.
There has been much talk about danger
of over-production. We have frequently
been applied to for opinions on this point.
| can with confidence reply that really
good wine, matured sufficiently to travel
l. OF the grades generally required for
stocks, capable of competing against ordi-
nary imported articles-cannot be over
produced by any development now in
prospect. But must not be understood to
mean that competition of producers will
permit extraordinary profits In all bust
ness affairs there must be some approx
mately legitimate relation between cost of
production and income That extraordi-
nary profits will surely follow most skill
full work based on intelligent selection of
location and varieties OF vines, for many
years to come, / believe can be easily dem
onstrated. Exceedingly fine wine, now
unknown to our markets, can be produced,
but not unfortunately, nor without suf-
ficient capital and patience. The United
States alone offers large market for such
wines at good prices. We must in
this respect correct popular use of
adJectives;. because wine is devoid of
positive objectionable qualities and is
agreeable TO the taste is not sufficient
cause for calling it Is fine" as too often
happens. Our producers cannot afford
to deceive themselves in their Judgment of
their own products, and as most of them