Washington wine grape growers are wrapping up the largest - and perhaps happiest - harvest in state history. "This has been the most pleasurable season I've experienced," said Kevin Corliss, vice president of vineyards for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. "It's been a really pleasant year all the way around." Corliss said Ste. Michelle Wine Estates - which uses two out of … [Read more...] about Happy Washington wine harvest could top 240,000 tons
Grapes
Final harvest for Paul Champoux
ALDERDALE, Wash. - In the next few weeks, one of Washington's most talented and respected grape growers will harvest his last cluster of grapes. The 2014 harvest will be Paul Champoux's last. The man who was instrumental in helping Washington earn its first 100-point wine is finishing an illustrious 35-year career amid the vines. Champoux, who has overseen Champoux … [Read more...] about Final harvest for Paul Champoux
Catch the Crush a Yakima Valley harvest tradition
Even though Washington's wine grape harvest is coming historically early, plenty of fruit will remain on the vine for the Yakima Valley's Catch the Crush celebration. The annual harvest event takes place Oct. 11-12 from the Yakima Valley to the Tri-Cities and will involve nearly 40 wineries. Catch the Crush began many years ago as a harvest celebration for wineries in the … [Read more...] about Catch the Crush a Yakima Valley harvest tradition
Near-perfect Willamette Valley harvest hums along
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
Washington wine grape harvest officially begins
While a few hundred tons were picked last week and even this weekend, today is the official start of the 2014 Washington wine grape harvest. Usually, winemakers prefer to start harvest after Labor Day - partly to let the grapes develop flavors and partly to get that last three-day weekend in before the 60-day sprint to Halloween, when the vast majority of the grapes will be … [Read more...] about Washington wine grape harvest officially begins