DUNDEE, Ore. - Pinot Noir is coming in faster than it ever has in Oregon's Willamette Valley, thanks to a warm vintage with near-perfect conditions. "We're almost done," said Melissa Burr, head winemaker for Stoller Family Estate in the Dundee Hills. "It's incredible. We've never had such a compressed harvest." Burr, who is in her 12th harvest at Stoller, started picking … [Read more...] about Near-perfect Willamette Valley harvest hums along
Brian Carter Cellars soars with great Washington blends
WOODINVILLE, Wash. - For more than three decades, Brian Carter has crafted some of Washington's best wines and helped launch several wineries. Now, he's accomplished a remarkable feat. So far this year, Carter's wines have won best in show at three separate Northwest wine competitions. In February, his 2011 Opulento, a fortified dessert wine using Yakima Valley grapes, … [Read more...] about Brian Carter Cellars soars with great Washington blends
Washington winemakers deep in grapes with harvest in full swing
Winemakers across Washington state are deep in white wine grapes and starting to bring in reds. "Right now, it's a Chardonnay tsunami," said Bob Bertheau, head winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. "All the Chard is coming home." Bertheau told Great Northwest Wine that while his primary focus is on bringing in white wines such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon … [Read more...] about Washington winemakers deep in grapes with harvest in full swing
Great Northwest Destinations: Alexandria Nicole Cellars
Editor’s note: This is the 12th in an occasional series on destination wineries of the Pacific Northwest. PROSSER, Wash. - In mid-1990s, Jarrod Boyle wasn't exactly sure what direction his life and career would take. He grew up here in the Yakima Valley and had recently been hired as a viticulturist by Wade Wolfe, then general manager of Hogue Cellars. One day, he was … [Read more...] about Great Northwest Destinations: Alexandria Nicole Cellars
Red Willow Vineyard: Hallowed ground in the Yakima Valley
WAPATO, Wash. - In just about every conceivable way, the 140 acres of wine grapes here at Red Willow Vineyard are hallowed ground. Here is where Washington's first Syrah was planted. Here is where some of the Northwest's earliest plantings of Tempranillo, Viognier, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc went into the ground. And atop a steep-facing vineyard is a humble stone … [Read more...] about Red Willow Vineyard: Hallowed ground in the Yakima Valley