VINTAGE 2013
NORTHWEST
Weather: Although we had a cooler than
normal October, our degree-day total was
the best since 1998.
Pests/diseases: There was quite a bit of
rot in some white varieties and Pinot
Noir. We saw some very small areas of
spotted wing drosophila for the first time.
Supply/demand: Because of an over-supply situation, there was extreme downward pressure on prices for uncontracted
grapes.
British Columbia
Technology/techniques: Many more leafremoval machines were around this year.
Logistics: As always, there was a shortage
of red fermenting tanks.
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon is always a
challenge, but it did very well this year.
Richard Cleave
Owner, Phantom Creek Vineyard
Other regional designations: South
Okanagan
Idaho
Overall quality was excellent with tonnage per acre about average. There were
quite a few acres not picked due to an
oversupply situation.
Quantity was down a little bit, maybe
20%-25%; yields weren't as high. Quality
on red wine is looking exceptionally
good. September rain had some negative
118 W in e s & V i ne s january 20 14
brian sprout
Reporting from:
• British Columbia
• Idaho
• Oregon
• Washington
Pinot Noir gets picked for SpierHead Winery.
