VineLines Dispatch #7: That’s a wrap

February 16, 2021 by Richard Duval 1 Comment

Crushing the final lot of Cabernet Sauvignon is Keely Newsom, assistant winemaker for Boudreaux Cellars in Leavenworth, Wash. (Richard Duval Images)

From Whidbey Island to the Walla Walla Valley, resident photojournalist Richard Duval captured the final days of harvest and crush in Washington wine country.

This column is Dispatch #7 – the final images of the season. Starting in September and ending the first week of November, Duval logged more than 2,300 miles for his assignments to wineries and vineyards during harvest and crush in Washington and Oregon, capturing more than 7,000 images.

Whidbey Island

Two days on Whidbey Island were timed with final picks from Comfort’s of Whidbey estate vineyard – Madeleine Angevine and Siegerrebe – and the last harvest of 2020 Pinot Noir at Spoiled Dog Winery.

Comfort’s of Whidbey

Owner/winemakers Carl Comfort and Rita Comfort harvest Madeleine Angevine.

Spoiled Dog Winery

Boasting one of the few Pinot Noir vineyards in Washington, owner/winemaker Karen Krug leads a dedicated team of volunteers in bringing in the fruit.

Woodinville

Barrage Cellars

Kevin Correll, owner/winemaker at Barrage Cellars in Woodinville, inspects his last pick of Merlot for the 2020 vintage.

Betz Family Winery

When mechanical sorters struggle, winemakers display their versatility with the tools of their trade. Head winemaker Louis Skinner goes deep while assistant Kevin Irving and James Stickney hand sort.

Naches Heights Vineyard

Naches Heights Vineyard, nested within its namesake American Viticultural Area west of Yakima, Wash., is owned and managed by Phil Cline.

Phil Cline removes protective netting from Gewürztraminer, Tempranillo and Riesling just prior to harvest.

Walla Walla Valley – L’Ecole No 41 Winery

Marcus Rafanelli oversaw his first harvest as L’Ecole Nº 41 winemaker, working for managing winemaker/co-owner Marty Clubb. Grenache was the grape of the day.

Co-owner/managing winemaker Marty Clubb reviews lab results.

Walla Walla Vintners

It’s crush time for Walla Walla Vintners winemaker Derek Vipond, owner Scott Haladay and their team working with Cabernet Franc from three Sagemoor vineyards.

Leavenworth, Boudreaux Cellars

Nestled near Icicle Creek upstream from Leavenworth is Boudreaux Cellars, which can boast of the grandest mountain crush pad setting in the Washington wine industry.

Putting the final tons of Cabernet Sauvignon through crush are owner/winemaker Rob Newsom, assistant winemaker Keely Newsom and general manager Audré Kelley.

After spanning the Northwest to bring you the constant variety of the 2020 harvest season, Richard Duval will be back on the road soon. In the meantime, keep sending your wine industry news items to rduval@vinelines.com and help our readers (and us) up to date on the latest happenings in the Northwest wine community.

About Richard Duval

Contributing wine photojournalist Richard Duval captures vivid wine imagery for Great Northwest Wine and other regional and national wine media. His images are found in wine marketing guides throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho and used by a growing number of wineries in the Pacific Northwest. From his studios in Walla Walla and Woodinville, Richard creates bottle shots and captures the occasional portrait of wine personalities. His “Art from the Vine” fine art exhibit has been displayed in restaurants, hotels, wineries and wine centers throughout the region. He markets wine work, which includes a line of personal greeting cards, online via WinePix — http://www.winepix.net.

Comments

Steven Joseph Stanzione says

April 1, 2021 at 2:17 pm

I just finished looking through your online photo files and I must tell you how much I enjoyed your artistry. You have a great eye/talent and thanks for allowing me to see much of it.

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