A couple of weeks ago (August 21) I wrote that Harvest 2014 was just around the corner. Well, now it's here.

Yesterday, I ran into Vicky McClellan (Seven Hills Winery) and she told me they had just received Merlot from the Clifton Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, the earliest harvest for them in 27 years.

On Wednesday, September 3rd, Buty got in its Semillon from the Rosebud Vineyard. On Thursday, Woodward Canyon harvested its Estate Wente Clone Chardonnay. French Creek Chardonnay is also in. And so on.

The current weather conditions are nearly ideal. Daytime temperatures in the 80's, and in the 40's at night. At the vineyards I have seen the past few days, veraision (the ripening of the grapes) is continuing apace.

It looks to be a record harvest as well: 230,000 tons, up from 210,000 last year. And the quality is expected to he high. The Walla Walla Union Bulleting quoted Kent Waliser, vineyard manager for Sagemoor as saying, "The winemakers are happy with the flavor, and that's the most important component."

More later!

 

No Review of Washington Wines Blog posting next week. On Sunday, we are driving up to Chelan, and then to Mazama for our annual trek to the Methow Valley. The following Saturday, we will visit wineries in Woodinville, and return home to Walla Walla on the 14th. There will be limited internet connectivity, so the next Blog posting will be Monday, September 15 with a report on Chelan and Woodinville.