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JANUARY NEWS In the News Original reporting that covers the latest wine industry news in North America. Read breaking news every business day at winesandvines.com. NEWS BYTES Rack & Riddle secures space R ack & Riddle Custom Wine Services announced Dec. 17 that it had signed a lease agreement for the Mur- Northwest Growers Assess Damage from Cold Spell Temperatures dip below zero in Washington and Oregon winegrowing regions A shland, Ore.—It was a year of "I am concerned extreme weather for the Northwest. that the vine Record-melting heat in July was followed by September rains that cold acclimation washed away century-old records. A cold was really short, snap in early December had growers—particularly those in Oregon—worried that and the vines some of the region's newest vineyards may have suffered significant damage. did not reach their maximum Temperatures dipped to -2° F in Ephrata, hardness." Wash., according to the National Weather —Gabriel Balint, Service, breaking the previous record set in 1972. Hermiston, Ore., registered a temperaOregon State University ture of -8° F, and Klamath Falls registered a low of -20° F, a degree lower than the previEarly estimates theorized that 20% of ous record set in 1972. Washington state vineyards could see "sigSuch temperatures sparked concern among nificant damage" from the 2010 cold snap. those familiar with local vineyards, especially But the harvest in 2011 was down just 11% the volume of new plantings in Southern from the previous year—from 160,000 tons Oregon and the Willamette Valley. to 142,000 tons. "Based on my understanding, the damage Similarly, a hard frost in October 2008 could be similar to that from 1996, when the cut the harvest short with fruit still on the industry was really hurt," Gabriel Balint, an vine. When winter arrived, an Arctic front instructor and extension horticulturist in in late December brought snow and extreme wine grape production at Oregon State Unilow temperatures. This prompted speculaversity, told Wines & Vines. "I am concerned tion that some vineyards would see losses that the vine cold acclimation was really of at least 25%. When all was said and short, and the vines did not reach their maxidone, however, losses in British Columbia's mum hardness." south Okanagan were estimated at approxiOne grower who contacted Balint expressed mately 20%. concern that a year-old block might have to This year Kevin Corliss, vineyard operabe completely replanted, but Balint tions director at Ste. Michelle Wine winesandvines.com cautioned that a coordinated evalEstates, anticipates little or no Learn more: uation of vineyards hasn't been damage from the cold seen to date. Search keywords "Northwest cold." undertaken. Viticulture staff has yet to detect Recent cold snaps that were damage, with the most vulnerable forecast to have devastating consequences vines being plants still in tubes. "The vines often had a smaller impact than expected. are quite hardy at this point of the winter," An early frost in November 2010 led to he said. "There may be localized damage in fears of some vineyards in the Horse Heaven small cold pockets." Hills being totally lost. —Peter Mitham 18 W in e s & V i ne s January 20 14 phy Family Vineyards winery in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley. The new lease, which is for 50,000 square feet of space, comes after the company's announcement in October it had secured 67,000 square feet in Healdsburg, Calif. The company serves more than 100 clients. Colorado wine impact STUDIED T he economic impact of Colorado's wine industry has been pegged at more than $144 million, according to a report commissioned by the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board. The report also found that Colorado wine sales surpassed $28 million in fiscal year 2013 and that the industry has seen 27% growth in volume and 65% growth in value over the past five years. Details: coloradowine.com. Sommelier magazine revived T PM Custom Publishing, which produces The Tasting Panel magazine, announced that it acquired Sommelier Journal. Meridith May, TPM's publisher and executive editor, said in a statement that the firm is reviving Sommelier Journal as The SOMM Journal and expanding the magazine's focus to include coverage of spirits, coffee, tea and food trends. Sommelier Journal had ceased publishing Oct. 25. The SOMM Journal will be based in Encino, Calif., and the first issue is scheduled to be distributed in spring 2014. See us at Unified booth #B14