WINE-MAKING IN CALIFORNIA. 361 



represented a finer selection and better fermented assortment 

 of young wines, than at the close of the present season, and 

 the future will undoubtedly mention this bountiful vintage as 

 the famous year of 1886. 



"In purchasing grapes, wine-makers started reluctantly at fair 

 prices, but competition soon compelled prices as high as last 

 year. Choice varieties were readily contracted, and generally 

 sold at very satisfactory figures. Ordinary grades were left 

 to take care of themselves and our Brandy Distillers had a 

 splendid opportunity to replenish their deficient stock, and 

 considerable brandy will enter our Bonded Warehouse during 

 the next few months. 



"We feel at liberty to make the following estimate of this 

 year's vintage : 



Napa County 4,800,000 gallons. 



Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. .... 4,200,000 " 



Sonoma County 3,100,000 " 



Fresno and San Joaquin Counties 2,000,000 " 



Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties 1,700,000 " 



Contra Costa and Alaraeda Counties 1 ,200,000 " 



Sacramento, Tehama and Solano Counties 2,000,000 " 



Placer, Yuba, Yolo and El Dorado Counties.. . . 500,000 " 



Total 19,500,000 gallons. 



"A portion (about one-seventh) of these 20 million gallons 

 (in round numbers) has already been or is rapidly being trans- 

 formed into brandy. The production of sweet wines has 

 been considerably restricted ; prevailing prices appear to offer 

 very little inducement for this branch of our industry. Ports, 

 sherries, etc., will therefore not be very plentiful. The pro- 

 portion of red and white wines will probably be as two to one. 



"The abundant crop of light wines of 1884 has gradually 

 found its way into the hands of the trade, and they seem to 

 be well appreciated. At the present time, absolutely no 

 stocks of any consequence of } 84's and '85*5 remain in grow- 



