Napa Valley Floor Fruit

Yea, but that's premium fruit to commercial wineries, not readily avalaible to us hobbyists. As I said in my earlier post, there are plenty of higher prices for the super premium fruit from the top vineyards. But that isn;t really the market for grapes that most hobbyists buy. Last year, I purchased 500 lbs of outstanding Syrah from 30 year old vines from a vineyard that otherwise supplies a commercial winery. $.50 a pound. This year, purchasing 500 lbs of Cabernet Franc from a 15 year old vineyard that supplies to hobbyists (500 lb and up quanbreasties). $.50 a pound. Both are 'pick your own' under the supervision of the vineyard owners managers.

I can get Zin from pretty old (30 year plus) vines in Amador County for $.75 a pound. You can get links to these growers on the sites of any of the grape growing or winemaker buttociations (SGGA, Amador winemakers, Sacramento winemakers, Napa growers, etc).

The point is - this guy with the Calistoga vineyard does indeed have a market in the 'hobbyist' winemaking community. there are lots of us out here. Prices are determined by the variables I mentioned. If these are older vines, in a premium location, well managed - then he can get some higher prices. Otherwise, I think my price range is about accurate.