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Cayuse Not Releasing 2015 Wines With Faulty Corks

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

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 WallaPaterson, 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