California Farmers Celebrating Record Grape Harvest For Wineries

LODI (CBS13) — Farmers are celebrating a record grape harvest in California with more than 5 million tons collected last year.

That number came as a surprise for some growers who say wine lovers have a lot to look forward to.

The barrels are stacked high at Michael David Winery in Lodi, and the tanks are filled to the brim with 2013 reds and whites.

"we are bringing in thousands of extra barrels to hold excess inventory," Owner David Phillips said. "Every tank in the state is completely full."

Phillips says wineries now have the quantity to meet the demand, as well as quality grapes.

Cameron King, the executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, says Mother Nature is to thank for the smashing crop.

"We had a great growing season," he said. "It was a nice, long growing season, and in fact allowed the grows the time to ripen and mature the way they needed to."

High quality wines at steady prices may drop if winemakers end up with too much vino on their hands.

"Now that we have so much inventory, we are gearing up sales," Phillips said. "We are working on exporting more to other countries as well as increase domestic sales."

As far as this year's drought is concerned, there may be a smaller crop this year, but winemakers say it could provide balance after a big year.