KENNEWICK, Wash. - So far, so good. That's what Washington wine grape growers are saying after a mild winter in Washington's Columbia Valley. "So far, it looks really great," said Kent Waliser, who managers Sagemoor Farms north of Pasco and on the Wahluke Slope. "It's not too cold and not too hot. We're happy at this point, and we don't foresee any unusually warm weather, … [Read more...] about Mild winter pleases Washington wine grape growers
Grapes
Washington wine grape growers convention starts today
KENNEWICK, Wash. - More than 2,200 grape growers, winemakers and winery employees will descend this week on the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers (WAWGG) annual convention. Vicky Scharlau, WAWGG's longtime executive director, said attendance for this year's convention will meet or exceed last year's record turnout. It has grown from about 300 attendees in 1998 and … [Read more...] about Washington wine grape growers convention starts today
Charting Washington wine’s big four grapes
When the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its annual snapshot of the Washington wine grape harvest Friday, a few interesting statistics stood out. Most prominent was how the top four grapes in the state stand apart from all the rest and now are nearly even in production. The big four Washington wine grapes are: Chardonnay (36,900 tons) Riesling (36,700 … [Read more...] about Charting Washington wine’s big four grapes
Washington wine harvest a record in 2012
Washington winemakers are seeing red after the 2012 harvest. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics released Friday afternoon, Washington crushed 188,000 tons of wine grapes last fall, easily surpassing 2010's record of 160,000 tons. And for the first time in the state's history, red wine grapes surpassed white grapes in total tonnage. Washington is the … [Read more...] about Washington wine harvest a record in 2012
In Horse Heaven Hills, Mercer’s Spice Cabinet leads way
In the past decade, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA has emerged as one of the top grape-growing regions in Washington. The Horse Heaven Hills, approved as an American Viticultural Area in 2005, has even emerged from Red Mountain's shadow as a top area for red wine grapes, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. Mercers lead way in Horse Heaven Hills Leading the way is the Mercer … [Read more...] about In Horse Heaven Hills, Mercer’s Spice Cabinet leads way