The Wine Knows

I chatted late last week wine Wade Wolfe, owner/winemaker of Thurston Wolfe Winery in Prosser, Wash. He began checking sugar levels and reported that the grapes are nine days ahead of last year - which puts them at about average for a normal vintage (2008 was extremely cool by recent standards).

Here is what we hear going on around the Pacific Northwest:

Yakima Valley: Upland Vineyards harvested Sauvignon Blanc last week and expects to harvest Chardonnay and Pinot Gris soon. DuBrul Vineyard harvested Chardonnay for Owen Roe. Airfield Estates expects to harvest Tempranillo and Sauvignon Blanc this week. Wilridge Vineyard reports all 23 varieties are looking great, especially to birds.

Wahluke Slope: Desert Wind started harvest today with a load of Sauvignon Blanc.

Walla Walla Valley: Woodward Canyon harvested Merlot and Chardonnay from its estate vineyard last week.

Red Mountain: Terra Blanca Vintners harvested estate Chardonnay last week. Fidelitas Wines will begin receiving Merlot from Red Mountain Vineyard this week.

Horse Heaven Hills: Fidelitas Wines will begin receiving Merlot from Champoux Vineyards this week.

We have begun to receive photos from wineries and vineyards. Check them out.