There’s no arctic blast on the horizon for the next week or so, but the forecast is for more precipitation than normal as the 2016 vintage finishes cooler that last year’s record-breaker. Climate researcher Greg Jones, a professor at Southern Oregon University in Ashland and one of the wine world’s leading scientists, shared a Climate Prediction Center notice that there’s a … [Read more...] about Warm, wet week ahead for Northwest wine industry
Grapes
Walla Walla winemaking class creates pied de cuve for Carmenere
WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Somehow, I have become the Voodoo Mistress of the Walla Walla Community College Enology and Viticulture program. And when I say voodoo, I mean pied de cuve. And when I say pied de cuve, I mean making a starter out of native yeasts so that wine can be made without the addition of packaged yeast. But let’s begin at the beginning. The secret life of … [Read more...] about Walla Walla winemaking class creates pied de cuve for Carmenere
SeVein Vineyards rises as some of best grapes in Great Northwest
MILTON-FREEWATER, Ore. - The unearthly shriek of the bird “cannon“ echoes off the gentle slopes of SeVein Vineyards, fired by soon-to-be assistant vineyard manager Oliver May as tries to deter, however briefly, flocks of birds from ravaging the grapes. It’s a sunny morning, the fruit is ripe, and birds are descending on the vines. There are 12 vineyards at SeVein, and Sadie … [Read more...] about SeVein Vineyards rises as some of best grapes in Great Northwest
Mercer Estates becoming Washington’s Malbec leader
PROSSER, Wash. - With the rise of Cabernet Sauvignon and the incredible interest in red Rhône varieties in Washington, it might be easy to forget about a grape that rates hardly any interest in its native Bordeaux. But Jessica Munnell is not about to let that happen to Malbec. The head winemaker for Mercer Estates in Prosser is putting more and more focus on the variety … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates becoming Washington’s Malbec leader
2016 vintage cools down slightly in Pacific Northwest
As predicted, the 2016 vintage would seem to indicate the start of a gradual shift from El Niño toward La Niña for much of the Pacific Northwest wine industry. Southern Oregon University researcher Greg Jones issued his “Summer to Harvest” report during Labor Day weekend, noting that, “With school and football season starting, a hint of fall is right on time, and the … [Read more...] about 2016 vintage cools down slightly in Pacific Northwest