• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Contact us
  • Wine of the Week newsletter
  • Wine submission guidelines
Great Northwest Wine

Great Northwest Wine

News, reviews and info about the wines of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho

  • Home
  • Subscribe to GNWW The Magazine
  • Explore
    • Wine news
    • Grapes and viticulture
    • Washington wine
    • Oregon wine
    • Idaho wine
    • British Columbia wine
    • Product reviews
    • Recipes
    • Podcast
  • Reviews
    • Latest wine reviews
    • Wine of the Week
    • Best Buys
    • Washington wines
    • Oregon wines
    • Idaho wines
    • British Columbia wines
  • Events calendar
    • Submit an event
  • Competitions
    • Cascadia International Wine Competition
    • Idaho Wine & Cider Competition
    • “The Invite” – Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition
    • Platinum Awards
    • Walla Walla Valley Wine Competition
    • Washington State Wine Competition
  • About us
    • Awards and honors
    • Advertising on Great Northwest Wine
    • Wine submission guidelines
  • e-edition

Bud break marks start of 2017 vintage for Washington wine

April 14, 2017 by Andy Perdue Leave a Comment

Buds are bursting at Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. (Photo courtesy of Sadie Drury/North Slope Management)

Across the Columbia Valley, the 2017 vintage is under way. The start of the wine grape growing reason is marked by bud break, when tiny leaves and flowers begin to emerge from their winter slumber and turn vineyards from brown to green.

What has grape growers and winemakers particularly excited is the timing of this year’s bud break, as it lines up rather closely with 2012, hailed by many as the finest vintage in the state’s long history. While it is much too early to begin declaring “the vintage of the decade,” winemakers are pleased to start the vintage off on the right foot.

“It’s a relief,” said Sadie Drury, viticulture manager for North Slope Management, which includes famed Seven Hills Vineyard south of Walla Walla. She said Cabernet Franc was the first to break bud – which is typical for Washington. That was followed by Sangiovese, Sèmillon and the workhorse variety Merlot.

On Red Mountain, bud break looks normal, said J.J. Williams of Kiona Vineyards.

And throughout Washington, things look good to Kevin Corliss of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. His company, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, brings in grapes from every American Viticultural Area in the state, except from the Puget Sound AVA.

This week, Corliss said there are lots of swollen buds in the Horse Heaven Hills, particularly in Chardonnay. And he has similar reports on the Wahluke Slope.

Winter damage light for Washington wine industry

Corliss isn’t seeing a lot of winter damage yet from the historic snowfall that hit the Columbia Valley this winter.

He said bud injury evaluations didn’t show anything significant, except in a few spots in the Walla Walla Valley. He said he’ll have a better idea in about three weeks after bud break is complete and can be evaluated.

Williams reported little damage on Red Mountain, and Drury said some lower areas of Seven Hills got hit, but she expects a normal crop at this point.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Filed Under: Grapes, News, Washington wine Tagged With: featured, ticker

About Andy Perdue

Andy, a former wine columnist for The Seattle Times, is a mostly retired stroke survivor. He lives in the heart of Washington wine country with his wife, Melissa, and their daughter, Niranjana.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Wine of the Week

Maryhill Winery 2019 Proprietor’s Reserve Malbec, Columbia Valley $44

April 4, 2023

Latest Wine Reviews

Tinte Cellars 2020 Malbec, White Bluffs $52

Blooms Winery on Whidbey Island 2016 Malbec, Washington State $32

Page Cellars 2019 Malbec, Columbia Valley $47

Snake River Winery 2021 Estate Malbec, Snake River Valley $20

Harbinger Winery 2017 Malbec, Wahluke Slope $30

Five Star Cellars 2017 Malbec, Walla Walla Valley $40

Wine Cruises & Safaris

Elk Cove Vineyards rafting trip in Idaho

Rhône River winemaker cruise with Passing Time, Doubleback and Avennia

Wine Safari to South Africa with Kerry Shiels of Cote Bonneville

Rob Griffin of Barnard Griffin is famous for his rosé of Sangiovese.

Rhône River wine cruise with Barnard Griffin Winery

Footer

Grapes

Savvy suggestions for Sauvignon Blanc from Walla Walla somm Kaleigh Brook

Malbec in Northwest continues to build on its elevated stature

From Argentina to Washington with Malbec for Juan Muñoz-Oca

Match Maker sidebar: King Estate Winery 2015 Hyland Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $86

Match Maker sidebar: King Estate Winery 2019 Steiner Block Estate Biodynamic Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $28

Food

Match Maker: King Estate Winery rising stars combine for elevated restaurant experience

Match Maker recipe: Corn Agnolotti with Chanterelle Mushroom, Roasted Corn, Black Truffle and Citrus Brown Butter

Match Maker recipe: Beef Ribeye with Uni Butter, Pacific Dulse and Lobster Glace

Match Maker: Thiessen puts his brand on WW with Walla Walla Steak Co.

Match Maker recipe: Chocolate Crémeux Tart with Cocoa Nibs and Hazelnuts

History

Swirl, Sniff & Sip: Bottle conditioning creates wines worth waiting for

The Wine Knows: Wine-related Movies with Industry Intrigue

Mount Pisgah in Polk County rises as Oregon wine industry’s 23rd AVA

Hester Creek Estate Winery: 2023 British Columbia Winery of the Year

Ray’s Boathouse toasts 50 years with Ste. Michelle via historic tasting

© 2023 Great NW Wine. All Rights Reserved.