Voix de la Vigne

2016 Vintage Summary

Similar to the last two vintages, the 2016 growing season continued to push the envelope for defining the new normal in Oregon as one of the earliest on record. An unusually warm spring gave way to moderate summer conditions, which provided even growing conditions through véraison. Though it was an intense growing season due to the early start, the fruit produced throughout the state resulted in wonderful concentra-tion and complexity with characteristic natural acidity.

The 2016 vintage saw practically immaculate fruit with few signs of disease, pest or bird effects. Vineyards and wineries in the Willamette Valley were largely finished with harvest by the end of September to early-October, while wineries in other regions carried on through 

mid-to-late October depending on the varieties planted. Because of the cooler temperatures in September and October, Growing Degree Days (GDD) accumulation in the western valleys ended up between the totals seen in 2013 and 2014. Lower GDD was also seen in eastern Oregon and Washington where the coolest conditions in the Pacific Northwest were experienced.

2017 Vintage Summary

After three consecutive warm vintages in the Willamette Valley, the 2017 vintage was a welcomed return to normal. The fundamental characteristics of the Willamette Valley’s climate is cool and moderate; ripening each cluster just as fall approaches. Cool-climate wine regions allow for complexities in flavor and tannin development while retaining the backbone of the wine’s acidity. The season started with a cool and wet March, April and May, which pushed bloom back to late June, setting the stage for a later harvest. Warm and dry conditions prevailed through the summer months creating the ideal situation for steady vine growth and fruit ripening. The vines set a higher than average crop. These crop levels were managed to bring the best out of the fruit. As with all classic Oregon vintages, the weather conditions we see in September and October play a role in the quality of the vintage. September heat waves can shrivel fruit, which forces an early harvest and brings the wines out of balance. 2017 did not disappoint. Two early September rain events refreshed the soils, giving the vines a boost to extend the growing season and build complexity. The first fruit harvested was in the third week of September. Calm and cool weather allowed for an easy pace of harvest through October. Pure, delicate and vibrant wines with intriguing structure were the result.

2019 Vintage Summary

2019 marked the return of a cool and mild vintage for the Willamette Valley. The winter months brought moisture and cool temperatures to the area, but gave way to warmer temperatures as we moved into spring. The warm temperatures in spring gave the vines a boost to start the growing season. As the summer months came and went, they brought with them cooler than average daytime high’s and above average amounts of rainfall for that time of year. Cool temperatures continued into the fall as harvest approached. Rain was the story for the first part of September, which extended the ripening time of the fruit and pushed out harvest just slightly. Bright and sunny days with cool dry nights returned for the last half of September and continued into October allowing for ideal conditions to make picking decisions. Most consider the conditions to be that of a much more “classic” Oregon vintage. Overall the vintage produced wines with delicate nuanced aromas and balanced acidity.