Acreage - scmwine/Wineries GitHub Wiki
Wine Grape Acreage by County
Approximate planted wine grape acreage in the Santa Cruz Mountains region and surrounding counties for 2024.
Data Source: 2024 California Grape Acreage Report, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Summary by County
| County | Total Acres | Red Varieties | White Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Benito | 12,350 | 8,400 | 3,950 |
| Santa Clara | 4,630 | 3,170 | 1,460 |
| Santa Cruz | 3,650 | 2,210 | 1,440 |
| San Mateo | 730 | 480 | 250 |
| TOTAL | 21,360 | 14,260 | 7,100 |
Santa Clara County
Total Planted Acreage: 4,630 acres
Red Varieties (3,170 acres)
| Variety | Acres |
|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 800 |
| Pinot Noir | 900 |
| Merlot | 450 |
| Zinfandel | 350 |
| Syrah | 250 |
| Petite Sirah | 150 |
| Cabernet Franc | 120 |
| Grenache | 80 |
| Malbec | 70 |
White Varieties (1,460 acres)
| Variety | Acres |
|---|---|
| Chardonnay | 1,150 |
| Sauvignon Blanc | 200 |
| Pinot Gris | 60 |
| Viognier | 50 |
Santa Cruz County
Total Planted Acreage: 3,650 acres
Red Varieties (2,210 acres)
| Variety | Acres |
|---|---|
| Pinot Noir | 1,400 |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 250 |
| Syrah | 200 |
| Merlot | 150 |
| Zinfandel | 120 |
| Grenache | 90 |
White Varieties (1,440 acres)
| Variety | Acres |
|---|---|
| Chardonnay | 1,200 |
| Sauvignon Blanc | 100 |
| Pinot Gris | 80 |
| Viognier | 60 |
San Mateo County
Total Planted Acreage: 730 acres
Red Varieties (480 acres)
| Variety | Acres |
|---|---|
| Pinot Noir | 250 |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 80 |
| Merlot | 60 |
| Syrah | 50 |
| Zinfandel | 40 |
White Varieties (250 acres)
| Variety | Acres |
|---|---|
| Chardonnay | 200 |
| Sauvignon Blanc | 30 |
| Pinot Gris | 20 |
San Benito County
Total Planted Acreage: 12,350 acres
Red Varieties (8,400 acres)
| Variety | Acres |
|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 3,500 |
| Merlot | 1,400 |
| Pinot Noir | 900 |
| Syrah | 700 |
| Zinfandel | 600 |
| Grenache | 400 |
| Mourvèdre | 300 |
| Petite Sirah | 250 |
| Cabernet Franc | 200 |
| Malbec | 150 |
White Varieties (3,950 acres)
| Variety | Acres |
|---|---|
| Chardonnay | 2,800 |
| Sauvignon Blanc | 800 |
| Pinot Gris | 200 |
| Viognier | 150 |
| Other Whites | 100 |
Regional Insights
Dominant Varieties
Red Grapes:
- Cabernet Sauvignon (4,630 acres) - Dominant in San Benito and Santa Clara
- Pinot Noir (3,450 acres) - Leading variety in Santa Cruz, significant in all counties
- Merlot (2,060 acres) - Strong presence in San Benito and Santa Clara
White Grapes:
- Chardonnay (5,350 acres) - Leading white variety across all counties
- Sauvignon Blanc (1,130 acres) - Second most planted white grape
County Characteristics
- San Benito: Largest growing region with 58% of total acreage. Strong Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) and significant Rhône varietals.
- Santa Clara: Balanced between Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds, with substantial Chardonnay plantings.
- Santa Cruz: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate, reflecting the region's cooler coastal climate ideal for Burgundian varieties.
- San Mateo: Smallest region focusing primarily on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Red vs. White Distribution
- Overall: 67% red varieties, 33% white varieties
- Red grapes dominate in all counties, ranging from 66% (San Mateo) to 68% (San Benito)
Note: These figures represent approximate planted acreage and may include both bearing and non-bearing vines. For detailed statistics and methodology, please refer to the original USDA report.