Virginia Agricultural Statistics
Fruit 53

GRAPES: ACREAGE AND PRODUCTION 1996

     Virginia grape producers experienced numerous problems and complications during the 1996 growing season; weather being the greatest adversary. A damaging freeze fell over the northern regions of the Old Dominion in early February, followed by a killing frost on May 14th. Many growers' production was either reduced or completely wiped out with the passage of these cold fronts. A rather wet spring and summer increased the incidence of fungal infections such as black rot, further damaging an already stressed grape crop. Overall, production decreased 43 percent in 1996, as compared to 1995.
    Vineyard acreage posted a modest increase from one year ago. Three new wineries and several vineyards were added, but this increase was offset by a number of commercial grape growers that decided to abandon acreage in 1996. Virginia currently ranks 12th in U.S. commercial grape production.

GRAPES: PRODUCTION AND ACREAGE BY VARIETY, 1996 1/ 2/

Variety 		Tons produced
(to nearest tenth) 		Current Acreage
Bearing Non-bearing
Chardonnay 404 .5 388 .8 24 .3
Cabernet Sauvignon 238 .5 161 .5 30 .8
Cabernet franc 105 .6 65 .0 16 .3
Gewurztraminer 4 .4 16 .4 1 .2
Merlot 70 .5 65 .3 17 .2
Pinot noir 24 .8 23 .5 9 .0
Sauvignon blanc 9 .4 12 .0 2 .6
White Riesling 99 .4 134 .0 *
Other white vinifera * 48 .9 52 .6 32 .4
Other red vinifera * 32 .4 26 .2 14 .8
Seyval 200 .0 87 .4 *
Vidal blanc 213 .5 89 .3 3 .7
Chambourcin 52 .4 34 .0 7 .6
Other white hybrid * 37 .2 23 .7 8 .8
Other red hybrid * 25 .7 29 .4 4 .2
Concord 106 .5 28 .1 *
Niagara 47 .5 13 .6 0
Seedless table (all) 4 .4 6 .3 *
Other red/black American * 37 .6 12 .5 0 .9
Other white American * * 3 .0 *
Total:
1,763.5
1,272 .6 178 .2
1/ "Commercial" grape producers, as used here, includes producers of at least one acre of grapes who produce crop primarily for sale or use in their own licensed winery. There are an additional 30+ acres of grapes owned by "hobby" producers, whose acreage is not included here in the commercial figures. 2/ Totals may not add due to rounding. * White Hybrids: Cayuga, Rayon D'Or, Aurore, Chardonel. Red Hybrids: Foch, Villard noir, Chancellor, Rougeon. White Vinifera: Malvasia, Pinot gris, Muscat, Villard blanc, Chenin blanc, Semillon, Symphony, Viognier, Chasselas. Red Vinifera: Carnelian, Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah, Petit verdot, Carmine. Red/Black American: Delaware, Steuben, Sheridan, Fredonia, Norton, Worden White. White American: Melody, Vignoles.