Wet Weather Puts A Damper On Wine Country

SONOMA (KCBS)— This weekend's wet, chilly weather has left things moving slowly in the Wine Country. Some farmers are taking precautions to prevent fungus according to President of the Sonoma Grape Commission Nick Frey.

"It's really affecting the work schedule for the vineyards. Whether it's the canopy management work or the treatments to prevent mildew and fungal diseases," he said.

Frey said when growers see rain coming that they tend to select treatments that are affective against mildew and botrytis.

Wet weather increases the threat of some diseases including botrytis which is a grey fungus that can cause bunch rot at harvest.

KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:

While some Chardonnay grapes are flowering, the rain can still impact pollination. Frey said in the worst case scenario you won't get a berry formed which can lower your yield. Still he remains optimistic.

"Hopefully we'll see some warming trends. I think the key is if the jet stream moves back up north of us instead of hanging down around L.A.," he said.

At this point it's too early to say if the weather will impact yields, but Frey said he's hopeful come harvest there will be something to cheer about.

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