With a “smooth harvest following a moderate and consistent growing season,” winemakers are predicting this year may be the best vintage in recent member for California, according to a report by the Wine Institute.

“The weather was excellent this year, with mild temperatures at the end of the growing season,” said Ted Henry of Groth Vineyards in Napa Valley, in the organization’s annual report. “We got a little more time to mature flavors before pulling the fruit off the vine. Yields were on the lighter side due to smaller clusters and berries, but otherwise, the vintage was free from significant issues. I think 2021 will be a top vintage in the Napa Valley.”

Annual winegrape acreage totals and most-planted varieties for California regions include:

• Amador County: 3,644 – Zinfandel and Barbera
• El Dorado County: 2,219 – Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
• Lake County: 10,009 – Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc
• Livermore Valley: 4,000 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot
• Lodi: 100,000 – Cabernet, Chardonnay and Zinfandel
• Mendocino: 17,379 –  Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir
• Monterey County: 45,915 – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Napa Valley: 45,511 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot
• Paso Robles: 40,000 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah
• San Diego County: 682 – Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
• Santa Barbar County: 15,452 – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah
• Santa Cruz Mountains: 1,526 – Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
• Sonoma County: 58,873 – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Temecula: 2,500 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petite Sirah

According to the Wine Institute, California produces 80% of the nation’s wine and is the world’s fourth-largest wine-producing region.

Read the full report at wineinstitute.org