WINE GRAPES FOR CALIFORNIA 075 



3. Vineyard for dry wine in the coast counties 



Red. Proportion. 



Petite Sirah % 



Beclan a /4 



Cabernet Sauvignon *4 



White. Proportion. 



Semillon % 



Colombar % 



Sauvignon blanc 1 A 



The conditions of soil and climate in the hills and valleys of 

 the Coast Ranges are so varied that it is much more difficult to give 

 recommendations that will be of general use than in the case of 

 the interior valleys. In some parts of some of the valleys the soil is 

 so rich and productive that it is possible to grow grapes as cheaply 

 as in the interior. The grapes recommended for the interior, 

 however, would not in most cases be suitable on the Coast, owing 

 to the difference in climate. As a rule the grapes which are suit- 

 able to the hill slopes will do well in the valley, making up in 

 quantity what they lose in quality. 



Of the many scores of red varieties which have been widely 

 grown in this region, the Petite Sirah has undoubtedly given the 

 most generally satisfactory results. Some growers are dissatis- 

 fied with its bearing, but most report that it produces as much 

 as the Zinfandel. Ungrafted, it requires long pruning. Its wine 

 is of excellent quality but apt to be somewhat harsh. This harsh- 

 ness can be avoided by careful winemaking and by blending 

 with a smooth variety such as the Beclan. The finest red wines 

 which have ever been made in California are the product of the 

 Cabernet Sauvignon. This variety, unfortunately, has been 

 rejected almost everywhere on account of its light crops. Very 

 satisfactory crops, however, can be obtained if care is taken in 

 selecting cuttings for planting and a suitable system of pruning 

 adopted. This variety, like most others, moreover, bears better 

 when grafted on a suitable resistant stock. It is very much to 

 be desired that a certain proportion 'of this variety should be 

 planted in all the coast vineyards which are capable of producing 

 a dry red wine of high quality. 



No white grape has given better results in both crop and 

 quality than the Semillon. The Colombar (sometimes called the 

 Sauvignon vert) has also proved itself a regular bearer, and, 

 while not of such high quality as the Semillon, it blends very well 

 with that variety and serves to modify its aroma, which is some- 

 times excessive. The Sauvignon blanc increases the quality of 

 the wine, but like the Cabernet, Sauvignon requires careful cut- 

 ting, selection and pruning to give satisfactory crops. 



