January 20, 2014 – Drought in California affects Napa Valley

The lack of rain in Northern California is readily apparent in Napa Valley today.  Ordinarily, the vineyards are lush with a green cover crop, surrounded by rich mounds of wet, dark-chocolate colored soil.  By mid February, the cover crop starts to bloom as the vineyards glow yellow in the low winter sun.  This year, all of the vineyards are dry.  There is no cover crop and the soils are a dusty gray.  This will be an important year for vineyard management techniques. 

Below is a photo from December 28, 2012, and one from today.  I have never seen the valley this dry.

Lush vineyards at Saint Clement in Napa Valley on December 28, 2012

Endless dry vineyards seen from Silverado Vineyards on January 20, 2014