Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/230154
Red grapes were very good, with cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah and petite sirah finishing nicely with ripe flavors and minimal veggie flavors. In terms of challenges going forward, red blotch virus is a problem in California. Many growers refused vines that tested positive for the virus, further slowing the availability of new nursery stock for replants and new vineyards. The nursery industry is sourcing clean wood, and growers are cautioned to be sure that any propagation material they use has been tested for this viral disease. Marmorated stink bugs have been found in the Sacramento Valley. Populations are increasing rapidly, and the potential for problems with wine grapes is huge. The insect damages fruit with its feeding and can also cause serious taint from its potent smell if crushed during the winemaking process. Overall, 2013 was a great vintage – some say maybe even better than 2012. CALIFORNIA WASHINGTON STATE BY SEAN P. SULLIVAN The story of Washington's 2013 growing season and harvest is, in many respects, a tale of two vin- 46 V I N E YA R D & WINE RY MANAGEM ENT | tages. The first part of the story is somewhat easily told. "Early heat, middle heat and ending heat," said Cadence winemaker Ben Smith as harvest began. He grows and sources grapes exclusively from Red Mountain, consistently one of Washington's warmest sites, although the rest of the state was no different. According to Washington State University's AgWeather.net, it was the second-warmest summer on record behind 2003, with nighttime temperatures higher than average straight through to the beginning of harvest. "2013 wasn't as extremely hot as 2003 – it has many fewer days over 100 degrees – but it was pretty close," Smith said. The heat started early, with bud break occurring between the first and third weeks of April and bloom starting at the beginning of June, with both running from four to 10 days ahead of average across the Columbia Valley. A somewhat wet April and June rains – in some cases three times the historical average – led to larger canopies in some sites but presented few concerns overall. David Minick, vice president of vineyard operations at Precept Wines – the state's second-largest producer – said of bloom at his Columbia Valley vineyards, "We Jan - Feb 2014 had a beautiful set and had to do a lot of thinning this year." In Walla Walla Valley, variable weather patterns in spring led to some unevenness in bloom and set, particularly for cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Overall, largely due to increased plantings, the state is expecting to produce a record harvest in excess of 200,000 tons. While the weather was consistently warm in 2013, growers adjusted accordingly and few expressed significant concerns heading into harvest. "Unlike the baking summers of 2003 and 2005, we seemed to be prepared and equipped to deal with it," said Red Mountain vineyard manager Ryan Johnson. "We grew bigger canopies for more shade and protection, kept adequate nutrition levels in the vines to avoid unnecessary stress, and carried a crop load that was appropriate for the conditions." In some locations in the Columbia Valley, harvest commenced for white varieties as early as Aug. 28 and the first week of September for early-ripening reds. Casey McClellan at Seven Hills Winery said, "We picked Ciel merlot (Red Mountain) and Seven Hills Vineyard merlot (Walla Walla Valley) on Sept. 4. This was 13 days ahead of last year and well ahead of average." Given the warm year, ripening w w w. v wm m e d i a . c o m