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January 2016 WINES&VINES 87 VINTAGE 2015 www.vinsense.net With irrigation sources running close to dry or dry, irrigation be- came an issue late in the season for Lewis-Clark Valley. Snake River Valley saw outstand- ing Riesling, with uniform fruit rip- ening and vibrant flavors. Lewis-Clark Valley saw late-ripen- ing varietals such as Cabernet and Grenache ripen beautifully, holding acids and smaller berry sizes with balanced acid and sugar profiles. OREGON Patty Skinkis Viticulture extension specialist Oregon State University Optimum weather conditions at bloom time led to good fruit set in 2015, leading to yields that were as high or higher than 2014 for the Willamette Valley. Yields were vari- able in the Columbia Gorge and eastern Oregon, where some yield loss occurred due to bud or vine damage following a November 2014 cold event. Southern Oregon was at normal to slightly high yield levels in 2015. Given the warm, dry season, fruit ripened early, and quality was considered high across the state. Harvest began in late August, and the majority of harvest was completed statewide by mid- October, which is a record early season for Oregon. The growing season was warmer and drier than normal for all re- gions of the state. Temperatures into the upper 90s and low 100s were experienced mid-summer through véraison. Temperatures were warm but dropped a bit as harvest neared in September. Har- vest was dry and warm, resulting in optimum conditions for hang time and picking. The 2015 vintage surpassed yield projections and is one of the high- est yielding years in recent history. More producers used mechanical harvesters this year compared to other years, yet mechanical harvest is used on a very small fraction of the state's vineyard acreage. There were greater yields than pro- jected in crop estimations, particu- larly in the Willamette Valley, and many wineries were at capacity. ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Great ripening weather with soil on the more ex- treme side of dry due to low rainfall from April to August. This created great fruit flavors due to complete ripening, but also some off-flavored tannins in some cases. Chad Vargas Vineyard manager Adelsheim Vineyard Newberg, Ore. A tractor pulls a bin of grapes during Willamette Valley Vineyards' harvest. © ANDREA JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY