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18 W i n e s & V i n e s M AY 2 0 1 4 S eattle, Wash.—The impact of old vines on Washington state's wine industry has become more important in the past 10 years, as planted acreage surged from 30,000 acres to more than 50,000 acres. The predominance of new vines complicated grape-buying decisions as the number of wineries multiplied at the same time, and most winemakers went looking for old-vine fruit. Those picturesque vines with thick, gnarled trunks and shaggy bark were the subject of a 90-minute seminar and tasting March 29 in Seattle during the annual Taste Washington festival. "No one ever asks for old vines when they order wine," said Jason Smith, master sommelier and director of wine for the 32 venues of the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. But if a waiter or sommelier has the chance to describe a wine as the product of old vines, then that does sway diners, he added. Kent Waliser, the general manager of Pasco, Wash.-based Sage- moor Vineyards, which sells to 70 wineries, said old-vine fruit is in high demand. He said winemakers usually ask for old vines, and if none are available, they will take 10-year-old vines. At that age, the roots of vines planted six to eight feet apart along the rows have filled out the available space in the soil, stabilizing their annual growth of shoots and leaves. Waliser observed that vines planted even closer, at three- to four-foot spacing, reach their limits of root growth in a shorter period of time and act like old vines sooner. Waliser characterized old vines as being more stable against vary- ing weather conditions, and more consistent in their canopy growth and crop yields. "Young vines need twice the attention of our crews, like taking care of a 12-year-old instead of a mature person." Casey McClellan, the winemaker at Seven Hills Winery in Walla Walla, Wash., described the old-vine effect on Cabernet Sauvignon as making a more integrated wine, more tannic and structured. "Old vines are a precious resource," he said. —Jim Gordon Washington Wineries Covet Old Vines Taste Washington session examines effect of vine age on wine quality Wine grapes from old vines are in demand by Washington winemakers. QST offers its clients……. Professionally fabricated stainless tanks 35 years of tank fabrication experience Performance & reliability guarantees Custom designs & modern features Quick & competitive tank project pricing On site tank repairs & modifications Special application tanks of all sizes "In stock tanks" from 500 to 10,000 gallons 510 Caletti Ave. Windsor, Ca. 95492 Phone 707-837-2721 or Toll-Free 877-598-0672 www.qualitystainless.com Company Website winetanks@aol.com email contact/sales info Custom Fabricated Tanks for the perfect size & fit… or Ready to Ship "Stock Tanks" Either way QST is ready to assist our clients! Call QST today for information or pricing! QUALITY STAINLESS TANKS M A Y N E W S SeAn SuLLIVAn