Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/764739
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m J a n - F e b 2 017 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 3 7 have been years where we haven't had bloom until Father's Day on that same site. It was just crazy." Due to uncharacteristic region- al spring weather relationships, bloom wasn't as staggered across the state as it normally is. "Bloom o c c u r r e d s i m u l t a n e o u s l y i n Umpqua Valley and Willamette Valley," says Horner. "I've never seen that happen." The early start and simultaneous bloom led to concerns about the harvest season. "It started off look- ing like it was going to be a train wreck!" says Horner. "Really early and really, really, compressed." A mixture of hot and then cool weather at bloom interrupted nor- mal berry fertilization, leading to a poor set across much of the Willa- mette Valley. "We had a lot of hens and chicks and shot berries and very small berries this year, which is great for quality but not great for quantity," says Josh Bergström of Bergström Wines in Newberg. "The weather at bloom was not ideal and that ruined a lot of the crop," agrees Sokol Blosser. "But it ended up being a great thing for quality." Isolated (but severe) hail storms at bloom affected some sites in the Chehalem Mountains, Rib- bon Ridge, Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity appellations. "Some Grapes are harvested at Roco Winery in Newberg. Carlsen & Associates 707-431-2000 "At Montelena, we look to hire intelligent operators, both as workers and as the vendors that fabricate and maintain our equipment. The crew at Carlsen not only builds some of the most intuitive, robust, and functional gear available, but they also bring the attitude and aptitude in their service to overcome the problems we face at critical times during the year." ....Continued.... Matthew Crafton, Winemaker Chateau Montelena Winery Calistoga, CA " EnartisUSA_california collection_VWM_B&W tr.indd 1 10/11/16 11:48 Harvest 2016