While the wine industry in South America is still reeling from the devastating earthquake, which rocked Chile and the surrounding area recently. The wine industry in North America is now preparing a hit of a different sort, which can affect production. Napa Valley is now under a quarantine to try and prevent the further spread of the European grapevine moth.
The moth was first discovered in Oakville last September and since then it appears they are spreading. In order to protect from further spread, which is augmented in the spring when larvae eat the young flowers on grape vines, quarantine has been placed inside the state. This controls the shipment of fruit and some plants in order to keep the moth from spreading farther.
Provided the quarantine is effective wine lovers will still be able to fill their Malibu picnic wine carrier with fine wines from Napa Valley with little problems. But if the moth gets out of control in the region grape harvest for the year will be devastated affecting the quantity of wine that will be made. This can in the long run affect not only bottle production but the price they will be sold for as well.