Sean P. Sullivan - Washington Wine Report Note: Site has moved to www.northwestwinereport.com

Harvest got underway this week under hazy skies in Columbia Valley. Treveri Cellars, a sparkling producer in Yakima Valley, kicked things off, picking 20 tons of Chardonnay from Hilltop Vineyard on the evening of August 11th. The fruit was picked at 19.5 Brix and 3.11pH. Winemaker Christian Grieb reported cluster size was down approximately 15% from historical averages. Treveri also picked 14 tons of estate Chardonnay on August 12th at 17.1 Brix and 3.01pH. 

White wine harvest has also begun, with Precept Wine picking Sauvignon Blanc at its Willow Crest Vineyard in Yakima Valley on August 12th. This same fruit was picked on September 3rd in 2020, 5th in 2019, 12th in 2018, 27th in 2017, 6th in 2016, and August 31st in 2015 (see table). This year is the earliest that this fruit has ever been picked.