Percentage of wineries in the Napa Valley that are family-owned. Nearly 80% of these produce fewer than 10,000 cases of wine. Napa’s 475 wineries and related businesses create 44,000 jobs in the Napa Valley and contribute $9 billion to the local economy.
Number of “nested” AVAs within the Napa Valley. The first was Carneros in 1983; the most recent was Coombsville in 2011. The others are: Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Calistoga, Oak Knoll District, Yountville, Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain District, Spring Mountain District, Mt. Veeder, Stags Leap District, Atlas Peak, Wild Horse Valley, and Chiles Valley District.
Percentage of California wine made in the Napa Valley. While Napa Valley wines are world famous, many wine drinkers may not realize that the valley is tiny—just 30 miles long and 1 to 5 miles wide. As a result only a fraction of California wine is made here. As a percentage of world wines, Napa Valley represents just 0.4%.
Up-side cost (in U.S. dollars) of prime vineyard land in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Somewhat less desirable Willamette Valley vineyard land—especially if that land has little opportunity for tasting room traffic—might cost a relatively affordable $30k an acre. For comparison sake, prime vineyard land in the Columbia Valley of Washington State runs $20,000 to $50,000 an acre, and in the Napa Valley, $300,000 to $500,000 an acre.
Number of millions of acres of vineyards on the globe (for wine and table grapes) according to the new 2019 statistical report just out from the OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine). Just 5 countries represent 50% of all the vineyards in the world: Spain with 13% of global vineyards; followed by China (12%), France (11%), Italy (9%), and Turkey (6%). World vineyard acreage has been on a decline since 2003.
Percentage tariff the U.S. imposed yesterday on French wine, Italian cheese, and Scotch whisky in retaliation for E.U. subsidies on large aircraft like Airbus. Italian wine and olive oil were spared, but other products hit include cookies, butter, salami and yogurt. Au revoir Châteauneuf. Ciao Parmigiano.
Percentage by which the yield from this year’s Champagne harvest may be lower than last year’s, which in turn was lower than the year before it. Among the weather setbacks that the Champagne region has suffered so far in 2019: frost in spring, hail, storms, an outbreak of powdery mildew, and a record heat wave that saw temperatures rise to 109.4 degrees F; 43 degrees C.
Estimated number of millions of cases of Tasmanian wine to be produced by next year, triple the amount made just six years ago. (New investors in the Tasmanian wine industry include the Australian government which just invested $600k). Forty percent of Tasmanian wine is pinot noir. Check out our Special Edition on Australia.
Number of years ago that people first began drinking milk from other animals according to researchers at the University of York. The scientists examined plaque on the teeth of the remains of British people living during the Neolithic era. Alas, these ancestors probably had severe symptoms of lactose intolerance, since the genetic mutation that allows humans to digest lactose only occurred about 4000 years ago.
Amount (in millions of U.S. dollars) that Jackson Family Wines now saves per year as a result of shaving 2 ounces of weight from glass bottles used for Kendall Jackson and La Crema wines. Glass is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions by wineries. By using lighter bottles on just 2 brands, Jackson Family Wines has cut their emissions by 4-5%.
