Napa, Calif. -- So far, 2009 looks like an ideal year for growing grapes in California. In Sonoma County, Nick Frey, executive director of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, reports generally good conditions. "The crop looks better than last year, which was a light harvest. Growers I have talked to indicate there is some shatter, which will reduce yields somewhat. Still, we are looking at an average crop, or slightly better."

He adds, "I have not heard of big regional or varietal differences" among Sonoma's diverse regions.

One region that has reported extensively on conditions is the Russian River Valley. A joint release from Lee Martinelli Jr. of Martinelli Vineyards, Nick Leras of Leras Vineyard, Mark Sanchietti of Sanchietti Farming LLC and Mike Sullivan of Benovia Winery, mentions that adequate rains have let grapegrowers minimize irrigation--if they irrigate at all.

"The storm of May 2 to 6 was significant, and the timing was perfect. Rainfall is now almost up to average levels. Cool days have helped to reduce our water usage, and we are close to reducing usage by the mandated 25%. Overcast days are helping to retain this moisture," the growers write.

"The rains encouraged weed growth, producing an opportunity to set some sustainable practices into play, such as cultivating to manage moisture and weed removal. Cultivation also fluffs the ground up and makes an insulating layer of soil and leaves, helping to retain more moisture underground for vines.

The growers report that the rain doesn't bring reservoir levels up significantly, but it substantially improves surface water in the vineyards.

The bloom phase lasted longer than expected because of cool weather this year, and in fact, there are still some blooms on Pinot Noir in the western reaches of the Russian River Valley. The set looks great: solid and firm.

Judging by the bloom the crop looks average--exceptions may be Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which may be above average.

One concern is vigor: "We find ourselves trying to play catch up, because the rains promoted rapid growth. There is a lot of vigor because of rainfall and cool temperatures. Shoot thinning is more important in 2009, because of a mass of canopy that needs to be opened up for air and sunlight.

"We're being proactive with mildew management and alleviating botrytis pressure. Leaf removal now is crucial to increase airflow and allow sunlight to canopy and fruit area, lowering the risk of mildew and mitigating the need for other inputs. We are grateful for more than a typical breeze, and it has been more windy than usual."

Paige Poulos, executive director of the Mendocino Winegrape & Wine Commission, says that this year looks very normal. "It looked a little heavier than usual, but shatter in Merlot cut it a bit."

Dave Michul, who manages the 1,000 acres of vines that Beckstoffer Vineyard owns in Napa County, says, "Overall, it looks to be very good." Depending on variety, he says, the clusters look larger than usual. "The set was good to very good."

One concern Michul has is that the prolonged bloom for Cabernet meant there's a lot of variation in set. "This may have to be addressed as the grapes mature. We may have to do more thinning than usual."

Still, he thinks the year has the potential to be better than average.

Fortunately, early concerns about water were dissipated by 10 inches in February. "We were short before that, but now things are fine," Michul says.

Also in Napa Valley, Davie Piña of Piña Vineyard Management reports that the vines are growing like crazy. "They're growing more than last year. We've already had to cut the weeds an extra time, and we're having to hedge the vines more."

He says that Cabernet is about average. It didn't set well on Howell Mountain, but is great on the valley floor. He also notes that Merlot had a poor set, "but who needs much Merlot anyway? There's not much market for it." Chardonnay is down a little--the clusters are smaller. All in all, the year has been cool and humid--instead of the usual hot and dry.

In the Central Coast, Jim Fiolek, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association, says crop size before set looked very large. "It wasn't 2005, but more than '06-'08." Then, he says, "The funky-cool-rain--even for the late bloomers--brought things back down a bit."

He says that early and most mid-bloom/set varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinots and most Syrah fared well, while late bloomers including Bordelaise varieties--Cabernets, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and some Italian varieties--may have suffered some shatter. There was no frost to speak of this year, for a change, too.

In the Sierra Foothills, Dick Cooper of 55-acre Cooper Vineyard near Plymouth, says, "The vines look gorgeous." He says the summer so far has been abnormally cool after a hot spell that got the vines going. "The timing is about normal, and the crop looks good to excellent." He worries about unexpected events like hail, but says, "It looks like an excellent year."

Eric Baugher, vice president of winemaking at Ridge Vineyards in Cupertino, south of San Francisco, says, "Spring was absent here; it was cold, with lots of wind. We're still waiting for bloom to finish."