The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-01
WINE CROP OF
1898 WILL Be
VERY SHORT
Unusual Dry Weather
the Cause.
GOOD COMES OUT OF EVIL
THE SURPLUS STOCKS WILL
BE READILY SOLD.
a Remarkable Demand in the Nez
Orleans Market Favorably
Affects the Situa-
ton.
GOOD COMES OUT OF EVIL
THE SURPLUS STOCKS WILL
BE READILY SOLD.

"The vintage of '9S will prove to be one
OF the smallest in the recent history Of
the State" said W. J. Hotchkiss, secre-
tary Of the Wine-Makers' Corporation,
which is composed of about so per cent of
the wine producers of California "Our
wines is in the neighborhood of $780,
600 gallons, as against q, 900 900 last year.
Sweet wines will show about one-half the
product of last year.
THE falling off in the production is par
ttcularly marked in Santa Clara County.
We estimate the output at 80 per cent of
last year. The decrease is due to eX-
IRENE drought and the over-production
of last year. Usually this district is one
of the great producers. Climatic condi-
lions Were extremely unusual this year.
For instance, while Santa Clara has
yielded such a poor crop, owing largely to
the lack of rain, Sonoma had good treat
ment from the weather clerk, and the re-
suit is comparatively heavy yield. In
respect to quality we feel confident that
this vintage will be one of the best that
famous old section has ever produced.
At the same time the crop will be only
about 40 per cent of that of 81
In the Liyermore district we estimate
the yield at about 100000 gallons, as
against 1900 900 last year. Napa makes q
poorer showing. This vintage aggregates
about 100000 gallons, as compared with
about 100000 in 81. Aside from the So
the poor development of the grapes. will
not be what was expected or desired.
That is, it will not be as full-bodied as
the average product. At the same time
its other qualities can be satisfactory.
These facts have a great bearing on
the prospective crop of '99. The dry
weather has prevented the proper growth
of the shoots, which is necessary to the
production of a good crop next year, and
furthermore, phylloxera is now in every
district. We therefore look for a reduced
yield in 49,
This is the dark side of the story, but
it is case in which good comes out of
evil.
1.-THE stocks of wine in the State do not
aggregate over 5000 600 gallons, and,
while the production for the time being
is decreasing, the consumption is increas-
ing largely. The proof of this statement
is shown in the New Orleans market.
Last spring we went into that field and
made arrangements to sell direct from
producer to consumer. The result is that
whereas the average annual consumption
there was 1000, GOO gallons, the sales dur
ing the months of June, July and August
were 100000 gallons. This is an enor-
nous increase, and the promise is for a
still greater demand. Incidentally it may
be remarked that within the past few
days the prices in that market have adj
Yanced 5 cents per gallon.
THE satisfactory feature of the sitIa-
ton is the fact that before another large
crop can be produced and made market
able, this Is. 600 900 Of stock viii have gone
into consumption. With the existing
growing demand prices must necessarily
advance, and good figures should be OBJ
tanned for the IS CROP