Pages

August Pic of the Vine

Harvest has begun with a bang as the unseasonably warm weather this growing season has accelerated the ripening process. It's a time of great anticipation and frenzied energy both for wineries and for contributing photographer Richard Duval. He plans to criss cross wine communities from Whidbey to Walla Walla with camera at the ready this harvest - so much so that we're shifting the Pic of the Vine to a weekly post throughout harvest and crush.

"For the next six weeks, I'll capture scenes of joy and a bit of anxiety as winemakers and growers hustle to beat the clock and bring in grapes," Duval said.

Today's image is of freshly harvested Tempranillo, captured August 31st from Dineen Vineyard in Yakima Valley. Click on the picture to see a larger image. Enjoy!

Seattle Metropolitan's Top 100 Washington wines

The September issue of Seattle Metropolitan magazine is now in stores and features this year's list of the Top 100 Washington wines.

A few words about how I compiled the list this year. As stated in the article, wineries were allowed to send in a maximum of five wines, one in each of the following categories: one $15 or less; one $25 or less; one $25–$50; one $50 or higher; and one white wine of any price. Alternately, if wineries were submitting in only one category, they could submit two wines. Wines were then rated and were subsequently ranked in various sublists based on score, price, and overall excitement about the wine.

Due to the large number of submissions - more than 1,000 wines - and also the high quality of the 2012 vintage, there were a (very) large number of exceptional wines that did not make this year's list. This year simply has an embarrassment of riches in Washington.

The list will be available on-line shortly. Enjoy!

Northwest Wine Round-up August 1st to 14th 2015

A round-up of stories on Northwest wine from August 1st to 14th 2015. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country…

Wines & Vines writes about Washington wineries gearing up for harvest.

Asbury Park Press writes about Pursued by Bear.

Wine Spectator writes about wineries fighting back on Illinois lawsuits. They also write about Willamette Valley Vineyards filing a suit over herbicide drift.

The Bradenton Herald (Florida) recommends wines with a callout to Charles & Charles.

Forbes recommends the Abacela Albarino.

Wine Business.com writes about Bill Fuller’s return to winemaking. They also write about the start of harvest in Washington.


From the blogosphere...

Jameson Fink gives a podcast about Passing Time. He also writes about cool Oregon Pinot Gris.

The Daily Meal writes about Grochau Cellars. They also write about Charles Smith’s new Seattle facility.

Great Northwest Wine writes about the Picnic and Barrel Auction. They also write about new ownership at Bainbridge VineyardsHamilton CellarsBasalt Cellars, a new Washington wine connection to China, the historically early wine grape harvest, and Panther Cellars.

Write for Wine writes about seven Washington Cabernets.

Seattle Refined gives updates on the Washington wine world.

Zinfandel Chronicles gives 2015 mailing list power rankings. Tom also writes about the 2006 Cayuse En Chamberlain Syrah and the 2003 Betz Pere de Famille.

Lucha Vino compares a Syrah from Washington to one from Hermitage.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about Washington Wine Month.

Wild 4 Washington Wine writes about Hedges.

Uncorked Ventures writes about a week in Walla Walla. They also write about the Amity Vineyards Dry Gewurztraminer.

The Examiner writes about a Yakima Valley wine road trip.


From the locals…

Northwest Public Radio writes about wild yeast.

The Bellingham Herald writes about Woodward Canyon. They also write about Matthews Winery.

Oregon Wine Press gives news briefs.  They also write about going LIVEMerlot and beholdWalla Walla Valley’s Community College culinary competition, and Naked Winery.

The Yakima Herald writes about Thurston Wolfe. They also write about the early grape harvest.

Pamplin Media writes about minority winemakers.

The Tri-city Herald writes about Australia looking to import Washington wine.

Seattle Metropolitan recommends Tenet Wines. They also write about the Eroica Gold (both articles by yours truly).

KIRO writes about Woodinville residents filing complaints over ‘rogue’ tasting rooms.

KING 5 writes about the Auction of Washington Wines honoring DeLille. They also write about Charles Smith’s new winery facility in Seattle and how Ste. Michelle got its start.

KNDO also writes about Australia importing Washington wines. They also write about the early grape harvest.

The Seattle Times writes about older Washington wines.

The Yakima Herald writes about Woodward Canyon.

The Idaho Statesman says to plan a trip to Walla Walla.

Thurston Talk writes about Westport Winery selecting a new head winemaker.

The Mail Tribune writes about custom crush: the next generation.

Seattle Magazine writes about its wine issue.

The Spokesman Review writes about Matthews Winery.

The Seattle Times writes about Charles Smith’s new Seattle facility.

The Statesman Journal writes about where to wine, dine, and recline in the Willamette Valley.

Oregon Live writes about Trisaetum.


That's all folks!

Harvest begins in Washington

Harvest has begun in Washington with Treveri Cellars - a sparkling wine producer - bringing in 18 tons of Chardonnay from the Zillah area this morning. Christian Grieb, winemaker and senior vice president of sales at Treveri, reported that the grapes were at 18.6 Brix. "Some of the berries were already showing some amber color to them!" he exclaimed. "Quite shocking considering this is August 7th."

This is the earliest Grieb's father ever recalled picking fruit in 30 years of winemaking in Washington. "Consider that Mumm just started picking on July 31st," Grieb said. "It's almost California-like this year." The same vineyard Treveri received fruit from today was picked on September 5th last year, almost a full month later. Other sites the winery works with are two to three weeks ahead of 2014, which was also a warm year (see 2015 Growing Degree Days here). Let the harvest season begin!

Picture courtesy of Treveri Cellars.

Northwest Wine Round-up July 22nd to 31st 2015

A round-up of stories on Northwest wine from July 22nd 2031st 2015. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the world…

The Guardian writes about the top 10 bike friendly wine routes, with a callout to the Willamette Valley.


From around the country…

Wine Spectator writes about Charles Smith’s new Seattle winery facility. They also write about Courtney Lease of Wild Ginger.

Greenville News writes about Pinot Camp.

T Magazine writes about what to do in Seattle through the eyes of Charles Smith.

The Napa Valley Register writes about Jackson Family’s West Burgundy Wine Group.

The San Luis Obispo Tribune writes about Willamette Valley’s growing prominence.


From the blogosphere…

Seattle Eater writes about Charles Smith’s Jet City facility.

Great Northwest Wine writes about Forgeron’s Anvil wines. They also write about Pike & WesternGordon EstateCharles Smith’s Georgetown facilitywinemakers prepping for an early harvestHedges, and Ken Wright restoring his relationship with Panther Creek.

NW Wine Anthem writes about wine for the end of the world.

Aginfo.net writes about legends of wine.

Table Talk Northwest writes about Charles Smith’s new Seattle facility.

Seattle Refined writes about Charles Smith’s new Seattle facility.

Write for Wine writes about Chihuly and Ste Michelle.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about upcoming events. Shona also writes about the Winemaker Gala at the Auction of Washington Wines, the Winemaker Dinner Series and the Picnic and Barrel Auction.

Wagon Wine gives a news update and some bottle notes.

Vindulge recommends the Hedges Syrah with smoked pork ribs with Asian spice rub.


From the locals…

Seattle Metropolitan (article by yours truly) recommends the EFESTE 2014 Oldfield Vineyard Rosé.

The Stranger writes about Charles Smith’s new Seattle-area facility.

Seattle Weekly writes about Charles Smith’s new facility.

The Seattle Times writes about the Puget Sound appellation. They also write about 14 Hands.

WSU News writes about grapevine fungus.

The Statesman Journal writes about Willamette Valley Vineyards suing Five Cent Farm. They also write that farmers are seeing impacts from the hot, dry season.

The Spokesman Review writes about Merlot.

Oregon Live.com writes about urban winemakers heading to the hills. They also write about herbicide drift affecting Oregon growers.

KOMO News writes about the new Wine Science Center.

The Newberg Graphic writes about history as told by a wine insider.

The Portland Business Journal writes about the SE Wine Collective.

Capital Press writes that identifying grapevine fungus might help fight disease.

The Bellingham Herald writes about Thurston Wolfe.

The Squamish Chief writes about wine with a song.



That’s all folks!