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El Dorado Wine Region Facts
March 2008
Total value of grapes (2007): More than $6 million (based on average open market prices)
Wine grape acreage (2007): Nearly 2,100
Total wine grape acreage, as well as the value of the county’s grapes, more than doubled in the last 10 years.
Average price per ton of wine grapes sold in 2007: $1,228. This was a slight decrease compared to 2006 prices, while the statewide average for all wine grape varietals dropped 5%.
Amount of wine grapes grown (2007): More than 5,000 tons
Total wine grape tonnage sold outside of El Dorado County: Nearly 1,625 tons (an increase of more than 90% compared to nearly 860 tons in 2005)
Average production per acre: 2.63 tons
Number of grape varieties grown: 25 major varieties, in addition to nearly 30 other, lesser-known varieties
Top grape varieties grown in El Dorado (based on total tons produced): Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Merlot.
In the El Dorado Winery Association (25 family-owned wineries, representing El Dorado’s major vintners), the largest growers are: Boeger Winery, Madroña Vineyards and Lava Cap Winery.
Elevations at which premium wine grapes are grown in the El Dorado Appellation: 1,200 to 3,500 feet above sea level
El Dorado Appellation established: 1983
Number of bonded wineries in El Dorado (as of June 2007): More than 50 and growing – ranking El Dorado one of the largest regions in the state
Agriculture's impact on El Dorado's economy: $502 million (estimated, 2006)
El Dorado wine industry's economic impact: $220 million (estimated, 2006)
History:
The number of wineries in El Dorado more than doubled in the last 10 years.
In 1870, El Dorado County was the third largest wine producer in the state, behind Los Angeles and Sonoma Counties.*
In the late 1800s there were approximately 40 commercial wineries operating in the county.* The industry plummeted during Prohibition.
Sources:
El Dorado County Department of Agriculture. Please note: Figures reflect numbers reported by El Dorado County growers.
The Wine Institute
“A Brief History of Winegrowing in El Dorado County,” Eric J. Costa