Although September heat waves are not uncommon for California wine regions, it was nearly unprecedented to have one this early and close to the point of ripeness for wine grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winemakers said they’ll have to put grapes that taste overripe into a lower quality, less expensive wine blend or sort out the raisins before the berries get to the fermenter.

“Sorting and capturing delicious fruit — that’s the goal,” Starr said, “and letting the raisins go into cereal boxes.”

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