Voix de la Vigne

2020 Vintage Summary

Similar to the last two vintages, the 2020 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 concentration and complexity with characteristic natural acidity.

The 2020 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.

2020 Vintage Summary

2020 was a wild ride of a year. The growing season started out warm, but temperatures cooled as Spring rolled in. From that point on daytime temperatures were moderately warm followed by cool evenings. These mild temperatures allowed the vines the opportunity to focus on developing more complexity and flavors in the fruit. So while the overall quantity from the 2020 harvest is down in comparison to years past, the quality remained exceptionally high. Pressed and racked into stainless steel vessels for a long and cool fermentation. This Willamette Valley Rosé embodies the brightness and crisp acidity often found in Willamette Valley Pinot Gris.

The Pinot Gris grapes were whole-cluster pressed immediately upon arrival at the cellar and the juice allowed to settle for 36 hours. The juice was then racked clean into stainless steel tanks and underwent fermentation for three weeks at medium to low temperatures of between 60°F and 66°F. The wine was then filtered and bottled.