The Wine Knows

We are in an odd stretch of weather here in the heart of Washington's Columbia Valley. It was consistently in the 50s and even 60s for several days before turning rather cool Thursday. On Friday, we had snow. Snow! At the end of March! It was just flurries that lasted for two hours, then the temperatures warmed into the 40s. Today, we have a chilly wind driving through the region.

Fortunately, we haven't hit bud break yet in the vineyards. Typically, leaves start popping out of the vines around April 15 in Washington. Last year, we were about five days early. I've kept a close eye on my little backyard vineyard, and it seems as though the buds are beginning to swell, which typically signals that bud break is imminent.

If bud break were to occur, then be followed by a cold snap, that could spell disaster for the 2008 vintage. Let's hope this is just a very bizarre aberration.