Christophe Baron of Cayuse Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley announced on Wednesday that he would not be releasing many of the 2015 Cayuse wines due to faulty corks. The text of the message to Cayuse customers was as follows:
Since 1997, we at Cayuse Vineyards have been dedicated to creating world-class wines. We are committed to biodynamic farming and our mission is to produce wine that is the best possible representation of our unique terroir. We simply will not release a wine that doesn't meet our rigorous standards.
Earlier this year, in preparation for the May bottling of many of our 2015 wines, we purchased the highest quality corks from our long time supplier. Despite taking every possible step to ensure that we are crafting the best wines possible, during bottling we discovered paraffin particulates caused by faulty corks.
We stopped bottling immediately and we contacted the cork supplier right away. They told us they knew what the problem was with the first lot of corks and they assured us we could proceed with bottling the rest of the wines using a second separate lot of corks.
After bottling, we checked periodically to be certain there were no problems and to see how the wines were developing. When we discovered the presence of paraffin and an oily film in the wines bottled with the second lot of corks we decided to bring in industry experts to help analyze the wines. Their analysis included a Military-Style Protocol Sampling which confirmed the entire bottling was defective. We agree with the conclusions of the experts and as a result we will not be releasing any of the wines from our May bottling.
We have been working diligently with our insurance company to ensure that each customer receives a full refund for the following wines as soon as possible:
2015 Bionic Frog Syrah
2015 Cailloux Vineyard Syrah
2015 Camaspelo
2015 En Cerise Vineyard Syrah
2015 En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah
2015 Flying Pig
2015 Impulsivo Tempranillo
2015 Wallah Wallah Special Syrah #8 Magnums
2015 Widowmaker Cabernet Sauvignon
We are devastated at the loss of these wines which includes 2,995 cases (750ml) and 2,678 magnums. As you all know, there is considerable anticipation for the 2015 vintage from Cayuse Vineyards and the wines were outstanding prior to that bottling in May. In March, just two months before that bottling, Jeb Dunnuck of The Wine Advocate tasted barrel samples of these wines and scored them between 93 and 100 points. We are extremely disappointed to have produced such beautiful wines that we are now unable to release.
Not all is lost. The rest of the 2015 vintage (bottled in August 2016 and July 2017) remains pristine. The following wines will be distributed, as planned:
2015 Edith Grenache Rosé
2015 Cailloux Vineyard Viognier
2015 God Only Knows Grenache
2015 Armada Vineyard Syrah
2015 The Lovers
Cayuse Vineyards is passionately committed to creating world-class wines. We thank each of you for your ongoing loyalty, support and understanding. We know that you share our disappointment. Obviously this was beyond our control and we're very sorry.
We really appreciate your ongoing trust.
In Vino Veritas.
Christophe Baron
Vigneron
* * *
This is obviously an enormous loss for the entire Cayuse team, for Cayuse's customers, and for the larger Northwest wine industry. The 2015s were anticipated to be another in a string of superlative vintages from the winery.
These 2015 vintage wines were due to be shipped to customers later this year or, alternatively, picked up at the winery in April of 2018 on what is referred to as ‘Cayuse Weekend.’ That weekend will go forward. However, the 2015 wines listed above will no longer be released and therefore will not be available for pickup.
In a subsequent message to Cayuse customers, General Manager Trevor Dorland released a revised delivery schedule which is as follows:
SHIPPING: NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2017
PICK-UP: CAYUSE WEEKEND, APRIL 2018
2014 Armada Vineyard Syrah
2014 God Only Knows Grenache
2014 The Lovers
2014 Wallah Wallah Syrah Special #6 Magnum (Sold August 2016)
2015 Edith Grenache Rosé
2015 Cailloux Vineyard Viognier
SHIPPING: NOVEMBER & DECEMBER, 2018;
PICK-UP: CAYUSE WEEKEND, APRIL 2019;
2015 Armada Vineyard Syrah
2015 God Only Knows Grenache
2015 The Lovers
2016 Edith Grenache Rosé
2016 Cailloux Vineyard Viognier
2016 Bionic Frog Syrah
2016 Cailloux Vineyard Syrah
2016 Camaspelo
2016 En Cerise Vineyard Syrah
2016 En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah
2016 Flying Pig
2016 Impulsivo Tempranillo
2016 Widowmaker Cabernet-Sauvignon
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A look at the first six weeks of Washington’s harvest
We’re approaching the six week mark on harvest in Washington. Harvest began on August 23rd with picks of Tempranillo for rosé in the Walla Walla Valley and picks of Pinot Noir for sparkling wine in the Yakima Valley. Most winemakers I’ve spoken with have reported that they have brought in 30-40% of their fruit at present. Hillary Sjolund, consulting winemaker at Wine Boss in Richland, provided the following summary of recent vintages at Wine Boss:
Tons received by Oct. 2nd in each vintage:
2015 - 540 (82% complete)
2016 - 419 (67% complete)
2017 - 211 (~40% complete)
Of note, 2015 was one of the warmest vintages on record (read a harvest report here) and 2016 had an extremely warm start followed by more moderate temperatures (read a harvest report here).
Looking at this vintage, temperatures have cooled considerably recently and the state could use a kiss of warm weather – as well as a few more weeks of frost free nights – to bring the fruit still hanging to the finish line.
Below is a look at harvest based on what has been picked when and where. Enjoy!
***
See information on the Washington State Growing Degree Days here.
See monthly forecast for Yakima Valley (Sunnyside), Red Mountain (Benton City), Walla Walla, Paterson, and Mattawa.
***
The information in the table below is aggregated from personal correspondence with growers and winemakers, as well as information posted on Twitter and Facebook. It is not intended to be comprehensive but rather is intended as a snapshot of what is going on around the state. If you wish to send data for your grapes or vineyards (or correct any of the information below), please email me at wawinereport@gmail.com, leave a comment here, or leave a comment on the WWR Facebook page.
Tons received by Oct. 2nd in each vintage:
2015 - 540 (82% complete)
2016 - 419 (67% complete)
2017 - 211 (~40% complete)
Of note, 2015 was one of the warmest vintages on record (read a harvest report here) and 2016 had an extremely warm start followed by more moderate temperatures (read a harvest report here).
Looking at this vintage, temperatures have cooled considerably recently and the state could use a kiss of warm weather – as well as a few more weeks of frost free nights – to bring the fruit still hanging to the finish line.
Below is a look at harvest based on what has been picked when and where. Enjoy!
***
See information on the Washington State Growing Degree Days here.
See monthly forecast for Yakima Valley (Sunnyside), Red Mountain (Benton City), Walla Walla, Paterson, and Mattawa.
***
The information in the table below is aggregated from personal correspondence with growers and winemakers, as well as information posted on Twitter and Facebook. It is not intended to be comprehensive but rather is intended as a snapshot of what is going on around the state. If you wish to send data for your grapes or vineyards (or correct any of the information below), please email me at wawinereport@gmail.com, leave a comment here, or leave a comment on the WWR Facebook page.
Winery | Grape | Vineyard | Date | Notes |
Columbia Valley | ||||
-- | Chardonnay | Solaksen | 8/24 | For sparkling |
-- | Sauv Blanc | Bacchus | 8/31 | |
The Walls | Chardonnay | Bacchus | 9/1 | |
Baer | Merlot | Stillwater | 9/7 | First day of Merlot crush for Baer |
Davenport | Semillon | Dionysus | 9/8 | |
Gordon Estate | Chardonnay | Estate | 9/13 | For reserve program |
Long Shadows | Syrah | Bacchus | 9/13 | |
Reininger/Helix | Merlot | Sagemoor | 9/14 | |
Gorman | Chardonnay | Cold Creek | 9/14 | First fruit |
Ste Michelle | Chardonnay | Lawrence | 9/19 | Machine pick at night |
Ancestry | Merlot | Stillwater Cr | 9/20 | |
Sixto | Chardonnay | Frenchman Hills | 9/22 | First grapes of harvest |
Gordon | Merlot | Estate | 9/26 | |
Revelry | Syrah | Sagemoor | 9/27 | Block 19 |
Tempus | Cabernet Sauv | Dionysus | 9/27 | |
Orr | Grenache | Stillwater | 10/3 | Planted 2004 |
Rocky Pond | Merlot | Double D | 10/3 | |
Yakima Valley | ||||
Precept | Pinot Noir | Canyon Vyd | 8/23 | For sparkling |
Dance | Chardonnay | French Creek | 9/6 | |
Avennia | Sauv Blanc | Red Willow | 9/7 | |
Sleight of Hand | Chardonnay | French Creek | 9/8 | |
Orr | Chenin Blanc | Rothrock | 9/9 | |
Meuret-Gaston | Chardonnay | French Creek | 9/11 | |
Sparkman | Sauv Blanc | Oasis | 9/12 | |
Forgeron | Chardonnay | French Creek | 9/12 | |
Sleight of Hand | Cabernet Franc | Blackrock | 9/13 | For rosé |
Wind Rose | Orange Muscat | Lonesome Spr | 9/14 | |
-- | Cabernet Sauv | Candy Mt | 9/19 | |
Kerloo | Syrah | Red Willow | 9/20 | |
Two Vintners | Grenache Blanc | Boushey | 9/21 | |
Syncline | Syrah | Boushey | 9/22 | Ranch at the end of the Rd |
The Walls | Chardonnay | French Creek | 9/25 | |
Wind Rose | Chardonnay | French Creek | 9/26 | |
Lodmell | Sauv Blanc | Oasis Farms | 9/27 | |
Davenport | Petit Sirah | Lonesome Spr | 9/28 | For rosé |
Camaraderie | Merlot | Chandler Reach | 9/28 | First Merlot |
Purple Star | Syrah | Olsen | 9/30 | |
Love That Red | Syrah | Olsen | 10/3 | |
Rattlesnake Hills | ||||
Swiftwater | Pinot Noir | Allechant | 9/6 | For sparkling. Dijon Clone 115. Came in at 19.2 brix/3.08 pH. |
Cote Bonneville | Chardonnay | DuBrul | 9/5 | First fruit. |
Bonair | Gewurz | Estate | 9/11 | First fruit. |
Cote Bonneville | Merlot | DuBrul | 9/7 | |
Owen Roe | Merlot | DuBrul | 9/11 | |
Kevin White | Syrah | Elephant Mtn | 9/13 | First fruit. |
Co Dinn | Syrah | Elephant Mtn | 9/22 | Tablas Creek Clone 99 |
DeLille | Merlot | DuBrul | 9/23 | Last of Merlot |
Orr | Chenin Blanc | Roza | 9/23 | |
Sixto | Chardonnay | Roza Hills | 9/25 | |
Owen Roe | Cabernet Sauv | DuBrul | 9/28 | |
Callan | Cabernet Franc | Dineen | 9/30 | |
Co Dinn | Cabernet Sauv | Elephant Mtn | 9/30 | |
Naches Heights | ||||
Treveri | Pinot Gris | Naches Heights | 9/18 | For sparkling |
Naches Heights | Pinot Gris | Estate | 9/19 | |
Red Mountain | ||||
Auclair | Sauv Blanc | Artz | 8/26 | First fruit of harvest |
Sightglass | Sauv Blanc | Artz | 9/5 | |
Wine Boss | Sauv Blanc | Quintessence | 9/7 | First day of harvest |
Cadence | Merlot | Cara Mia | 9/7 | Inaugural pick |
Cadence | Merlot | Tapteil | 9/7 | |
Convergence Zone | Pinot Gris | Ciel du Cheval | 9/7 | First grapes |
Auclair | Semillon | Artz | 9/10 | |
Fidelitas | Merlot | Ciel du Cheval | 9/12 | Block ‘75 |
Upchurch | Merlot | Upchurch | 9/13 | First day of harvest |
Force Majeure | Syrah | Estate | 9/16 | |
Va Piano | Merlot | Scooteney | 9/20 | |
Gorman | Syrah | Klipsun | 9/22 | |
Auclair | Merlot | Kiona | 9/23 | |
Auclair | Merlot | Ciel du Cheval | 9/23 | First reds |
Purple Star | Petit Verdot | Heart of Hill | 9/26 | |
Sparkman | Syrah | Ciel du Cheval | 9/27 | Block 94 |
Auclair | Merlot | Artz | 9/30 | |
Walla Walla Valley | ||||
Tertulia Cellars | Tempranillo | Riviere Galets | 8/23 | (For rosé) |
Woodward Canyon | Chardonnay | Estate | 8/31 | First pick of 2017. |
Lagana | Chardonnay | Eritage | 9/6 | First pick of 2017. |
College Cellars | Pinot Noir | Breezy Slope | 9/7 | For sparkling |
Sleight of Hand | Syrah | Stoney Vine | 9/7 | First fruit of harvest. |
College Cellars | Chardonnay | Eritage | 9/7 | |
L’Ecole | Sauv Blanc | Seven Hills | 9/8 | |
Nodland | Syrah | Seven Hills | 9/10 | |
Amavi | Semillon | Seven Hills | 9/11 | |
Gifford Hirlinger | Pinot Gris | Estate | 9/12 | First grapes of year |
Tertulia | Merlot | Elevation | 9/12 | |
Gifford Hirlinger | Sauv Blanc | Estate | 9/12 | |
Maison Bleue | Syrah | Funk | 9/14 | |
Sleight of Hand | Syrah | Funk | 9/14 | |
Tertulia | Merlot | Elevation | 9/14 | |
College Cellars | Sauv Blanc | Estate | 9/14 | |
-- | Pinot Noir | Breezy Slope | 9/14 | |
Delmas | Syrah | SJR | 9/15 | |
Waters | Syrah | Patina | 9/18 | For rosé |
Saviah | Syrah | Funk | 9/19 | |
Woodward Canyon | Cab Sauv | Estate | 9/21 | |
Sleight of Hand | Syrah | Elevation | 9/22 | Ziggy Stardust Block |
Spring Valley | Merlot | Estate | 9/22 | Last Merlot |
JM Cellars | Merlot | Margaret’s | 9/22 | |
College Cellars | Syrah | Eritage | 9/26 | Shiraz & Joseph Phelps |
Va Piano | Syrah | Les Collines | 9/26 | |
Sleight of Hand | Cabernet Sauv | Blue Mountain | 9/27 | |
College Cellars | Carmenere | Estate | 9/28 | |
Eternal | Syrah | Les Collines | 9/29 | |
Nodland | Carmenere | Seven Hills | 9/30 | Block 12A |
Wahluke Slope | ||||
Northstar | Merlot | Stone Tree | 9/7 | First fruit. |
L’Ecole | Merlot | Stone Tree | 9/8 | |
Buty | Semillon | Rosebud | 9/8 | First fruit of year. |
Long Shadows | Merlot | Stone Tree | 9/8 | First fruit |
Va Piano | Merlot | Rosebud | 9/13 | |
Longship | Syrah | Northridge | 9/17 | For rosé. |
Longship | Grenache | Clifton Hill | 9/21 | |
Angel Vine | Mourvedre | Stone Tree | 9/24 | |
Horse Heaven Hills | ||||
Syncline | Grenache | McKinley | 9/1 | For rosé |
Ste Michelle | Syrah | Canoe Ridge | 9/5 | First red fruit. |
Syncline | Syrah | McKinley | 9/7 | First grapes for red wine. |
Rotie | Marsanne | Alder Ridge | 9/7 | |
Rotie | Roussanne | Alder Ridge | 9/8 | |
Coyote Canyon | Albariño | Coyote Canyon | 9/11 | First grapes of year. |
Mosquito Fleet | Merlot | Double Canyon | 9/12 | |
Quilceda Creek | Cabernet Sauv | Palengat | 9/19 | First fruit |
Quilceda Creek | Cabernet Sauv | Wallula | 9/19 | First fruit |
Bartholomew | Primitivo | Coyote Canyon | 9/19 | |
Maryhill | Zinfandel | McKinley Spr | 9/19 | First grapes |
Buty | Syrah | Phinny Hill | 9/21 | Clone 174, first red fruit |
Sleight of Hand | Cabernet Sauv | Phinny Hill | 9/28 | Clone 4, 8; Elene’s Block |
-- | Primitivo | Coyote Canyon | 9/28 | |
Snipes Mountain | ||||
Co Dinn | Syrah | Roskamp | 9/15 | Block 2 |
Co Dinn | Chardonnay | Roskamp | 9/19 | Dijon Clones 76, 96 |
Avennia | Grenache | Upland | 9/27 | |
Columbia Gorge | ||||
Kerloo | Chardonnay | Celilo | 9/30 | |
Woodward Canyon | Chardonnay | Celilo | 10/2 | |
Lake Chelan | ||||
Hard Row | Sauv Blanc | Robin’s | 9/13 | |
Tsillan | Pinot Grigio | Estate | 9/19 | |
Hard Row | Pinot Gris | Estate | 9/23 | |
Hard Row | Gewurz | Estate | 9/25 | |
Chelan Estate | Pinot Noir | Estate | 9/27 |