ZILLAH, Wash. - Washington's historically early wine grape harvest kicked off this morning when 18 tons of Chardonnay were harvested in the Rattlesnake Hills American Viticultural Area. The grapes were harvested at Hilltop, a 31-year-old 5-acre vineyard near the Yakima Valley community of Buena that is managed by Patrick Rawn of Two Mountain Winery in Zillah. He leases the … [Read more...] about Historically early wine grape harvest begins in Washington
Grapes
Washington winemakers prep for early harvest
As Washington's wine grapes ripen at an alarming rate, winemakers across the state are scrambling to install new equipment, bottle new wines or even get in one last vacation before the 60-day sprint through harvest takes place. "It's all a little scary," said Rob Griffin, owner/winemaker of Barnard Griffin in Richland. "I'm trying to get new equipment installed and the last … [Read more...] about Washington winemakers prep for early harvest
Purple berries begin to show up in Washington vineyards
In a vintage that so far has defied the record books for heat, Washington wine grape growers this week are beginning to see veraison - the time when grapes begin to turn from green to purple or, in the case of white wine grapes, green to yellow. "We just found a few clusters of Syrah starting to turn," said Lacey Lybeck, vineyard manager at Sagemoor Vineyards along the … [Read more...] about Purple berries begin to show up in Washington vineyards
Family, friends help plant Grenache on shoulder of Red Mountain
BENTON CITY, Wash. — For much of my life, the closest I’ve gotten to gardening on a Saturday morning involved 18 holes of replacing divots and fixing ball marks on putting greens. On June 6, on the western shoulder of Red Mountain, I filled in three times that many holes with young and vulnerable Grenache vines. The 19th hole for this golfer didn’t loom on the horizon until … [Read more...] about Family, friends help plant Grenache on shoulder of Red Mountain
Sagemoor Vineyards manager heads to China
PASCO, Wash. - One of Washington wine country's top vineyard managers is leaving North America for a grand adventure in one of the world's emerging wine grape regions. Derek Way, vineyard manager for Sagemoor Vineyards, will move to China this summer to become a wine grape consultant and also to work in the area of leadership training. "I'm tying together two components … [Read more...] about Sagemoor Vineyards manager heads to China