ASHLAND, Ore. - The recent weather report issued by Southern Oregon University professor Gregory V. Jones, widely viewed as the world's leading expert for climate studies of viticulture, has the Oregon wine industry increasingly optimistic for the 2013 vintage. "Combining this with the condition of our vineyards and the fact we are three weeks advanced phenologically … [Read more...] about Climate report keeps Oregon wine industry warmly optimistic
Grapes
Hailstones fall on Yakima Valley vineyards
PROSSER, Wash. - A pair of hailstorms pelted parts of eastern Washington on Saturday morning, but little damage was seen was reported in Yakima Valley vineyards. "It was the biggest hail that I've seen," said Greg Fries, director of winemaking and vineyards for Desert Wind Winery in Prosser and Duck Pond Cellars in Dundee, Ore. After dawn Saturday, storm cells more than a … [Read more...] about Hailstones fall on Yakima Valley vineyards
Washington wine grape growers dodge unusually wet weather
Washington wine grape growers want their vines to be happy, but the last week or so has delivered delirious weather that is bringing a bit too much abundance amid the grape vines. "We've gotten an inch of rain in the past three or four days," said Dick Boushey, owner of Boushey Vineyards in the Yakima Valley. "That's not a lot for Seattle." But it's about 15 percent of … [Read more...] about Washington wine grape growers dodge unusually wet weather
Fumé Blanc in Washington an artifact of history
A wine name that once was trendy on the West Coast now is nearly gone, at least in the Pacific Northwest. Back in the late 1960s, famed winery owner Robert Mondavi called his Sauvignon Blanc by a new name: Fumé Blanc. It was a name he made up, and it was purely for marketing purposes. "It wasn't just a question of reputation," said Rob Griffin, owner/winemaker of Barnard … [Read more...] about Fumé Blanc in Washington an artifact of history
Chateau Ste. Michelle’s 2012 Riesling a record 1.2 million cases
WOODINVILLE, Wash. - Already the world's largest producer of Riesling, Chateau Ste. Michelle stepped up its game in 2012 to craft more Riesling than ever. In fact, Washington's oldest winery made a cool 1.2 million cases of Riesling from last fall's record harvest. "That's a lot of Riesling," said Bob Bertheau, Chateau Ste. Michelle's head winemaker. Here's how Chateau … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle’s 2012 Riesling a record 1.2 million cases