California: Organic and Biodynamic wine-growing. See Organics, Biodynamics, California.

Certification bodies: CCOF. | Demeter Association, Inc.

2018 In 2018 California led the USA for Biodynamic wine-growing in terms of surface area, with 647 hectares (1,600 acres) of vineyards certified by the Demeter Association, Inc in the United States, giving it 49% of the national total. The most concentrated area for Biodynamic vineyards is in Mendocino County in the North Coast with 310 hectares (767 acres) of Demeter-certified vineyards (see Frey Vineyards and Bonterra). The Central Coast had more than 243 hectares (600 acres) of Demeter Association, Inc certified Biodynamic vineyards in both Santa Barbara County (141 hectares or 350 acres) and Paso Robles (101 hectares or 250 acres). Sonoma had 174.5 hectares (431 acres) of Demeter Association, Inc certified Biodynamic vines, which were spread out throughout the county. The big players were Bronco Wine (organics) and Bonterra (organic and Biodynamic). 

2016 California had an estimated 243,724 hectares (602,000 acres) of wine grape vineyards in 2016, of which 226,720 hectares (560,000 acres) bearing and 17,004 hectares (42,000 acres) non-bearing (California Grape Acreage Report 2016. In 2016 CCOF certified 4,309 hectares (10,644 acres) of organic wine grapes. This means 1.77% of California’s wine grapes were certified organic by CCOF. Data from other certifiers not yet available.

2015 California had an estimated 246,154 hectares (608,000 acres) of wine grape vineyards in 2015, of which 226,720 hectares (560,000 acres) bearing and 19,433 hectares (48,000 acres) non-bearing (California Grape Acreage Report 2016. CCOF certified 4,212 hectares (10,405 acres) of organic wine grapes. This means 1.71% of California’s wine grapes were certified organic by CCOF. Data from other certifiers not yet available.

2014 California had an estimated 256,250 hectares (615,000 acres) of wine grape vineyards in 2014, of which 226,720 hectares (565,000 acres) bearing and 20,833 hectares (50,000 acres) non-bearing (California Grape Acreage Report 2016. CCOF certified 4,358 hectares (10,766 acres) of organic wine grapes. This means 1.70% of California’s wine grapes were certified organic by CCOF. Data from other certifiers not yet available. ‘The majority of that [10,766] acreage is located in Mendocino County and fuels Fetzer’s organic brand portfolio, including Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon, which retails for $14,’ says Deborah Parker Wong (2016).

2013 CCOF certified 4,550 hectares (11,237 acres) of organic wine grapes in 2013. 

2012 CCOF certified 4,661 hectares (11,514 acres) of organic wine grapes in 2012. 

2011 California had an estimated 216,507 hectares (535,000 acres) of wine grape vineyards in 2011, of which 201,129 hectares (497,000 acres) were bearing and 5,378 hectares (38,000 acres) were non-bearing. CCOF certified 11,906 acres (4,820 hectares) of organic wine grapes. This means 2.4% of California’s wine grapes were certified organic by CCOF. Data from other certifiers not yet available.

2010 CCOF certified 4,814 hectares (11,892 acres) of organic wine grapes in 2010.

2009 CCOF certified 4,177 hectares (10,318 acres) of organic wine grapes in 2009.

2008 CCOF certified 3,936 hectares (9,727 acres) of organic wine grapes in 2008. 

2003 California had an estimated 357,085 hectares (882,000 acres) of vineyards in 2003, as reported by the California Agricultural Statistics Service, and were largely composed of wine and juice grapes (529,000 acres, 60%), followed by raisin (29.5%), and table (10.5%) grapes. Of this, about 1% is organic (Daane et al., 2004)

1999 California had 190,266 hectares (470,158 acres) of wine grapes in 1999 of which 151,657 hectares (374,752 acres) were bearing and 38,610 hectares (95,407 acres) were non-bearing. Of this 1,172 hectares (4,231 acres) of wine grape vineyards were certified organic by CCOF, (John McKeon, Grower Certification, CCOF, perso communication). This meant 1.13% of California’s wine grapes were certified organic by CCOF. Data from other certifiers not yet available.

1989 California had 117,359 hectares (290,000 acres) of bearing wine grapes in 1989, plus 17,159 hectares (42,400 acres) of non-bearing grapes giving a reported total of 134,517 hectares (332,400 acres). Of this, CCOF certified 81 hectares (200 acres) of organic wine grapes. This meant 0.17% of California’s wine grapes were certified organic by CCOF. Data from other certifiers not yet available.