NAPA, Calif. – The gross value of all agricultural production in Napa County was more than $757 million in 2017 – a 2.7 percent increase from the previous year.

Agricultural Commissioner Greg Clark released the 2017 Napa County Agricultural Crop Report during the April 24 Napa County Board of Supervisors meeting.

The total value of the 2017 wine grape crop was a record setting $750,832,400, up 2.9 percent, or $21,325,100, from the previous year. Also, the 2017 wine grape crop was 35.2 percent or approximately $195,629,300 higher than the previous 10-year average of $555,203,100.

Total 2017 wine grape production decreased by approximately 10,630 tons, or 6.9 percent from 2016. The total wine grape tonnage for the 2017 crop (142,413 tons from 43,584 bearing acres) was 3.4 percent lower than the previous 10-year average of 147,386 tons.

The average price paid per ton for all wine grapes was $5,272. In 2017, the highest average price paid for any Napa County wine grape variety was $7,871 per ton for Cabernet Franc. There were 1,113 bearing acres of Cabernet Franc in 2017.

In the past several years, the top three varieties in bearing acres planted were Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot.

In 2017, approximately 66,733 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon (20,953 acres) were harvested and sold at an average price of $7,498 per ton. Chardonnay (6,261 acres) exceeded Merlot (4,535) acres by 1,726 bearing acres, but Merlot sold at $579 more per ton on average. Merlot production was 13,160 tons, valued at an average of $3,390 per ton. Chardonnay production of 20,684 tons was valued on average at $2,811 per ton.

These three varieties together accounted for more than 70 percent of all production and about 80 percent of the total wine grape value.

Olive production increased approximately $63,400 due in part to cool, wet weather conditions suppressing olive fruit fly populations. Livestock values increased approximately $3,400 and field crops increased $13,100 from the previous year.

Vegetable production decreased by $45,000 due to wet weather conditions in 2017. Floral and nursery production decreased in value by $1,481,700 primarily due to the closure of several production nurseries and wet weather conditions.

County staff continued to survey for all life stages of the Glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) in 2017. This year 2,533 plant shipments were inspected, resulting in the discovery of 3 GWSS egg-masses, one of which was viable. Out-of-state nursery shipments, inspection of household goods for gypsy moth, and other “high hazard” shipment inspections continued to be a priority for inspectors.

This year’s crop report highlights the 50th anniversary of the Napa County Agricultural Preserve, a landmark zoning ordinance – the nation’s first – that dictates the highest and best use of land is for agriculture.

The Ag Preserve ordinance was originally passed by the Napa County Board of Supervisors in 1968 to protect 26,000 acres of local farmland. It has since grown to 31,609 acres and has been a central force preserving the county’s open space.

The 2017 crop report would not be complete without taking a look at the impact, response, and ongoing recovery brought on by the October wildfires.

While approximately 3,500 acres (less than 8 percent) of Napa County’s planted vineyard acres were located within the fire areas, only 126 of those acres burned.

The report is available online, and at each of the libraries and at the Agricultural Commissioner’s office, 1710 Soscol Ave., Suite 3 in Napa.