Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/918844
January 2018 WINES&VINES 67 VINTAGE 2017 While the final tally is not due until early 2018, preliminary expectations were for a smaller crop, possibly less than 28,000 tons, making it the smallest in at least four years. This should support pricing for both grapes and bulk wine, especially red varietals. IDAHO Snake River AVA, Lewis Clark AVA and Central Idaho Ashlee Struble Office manager Idaho Wine Commission Some vineyards saw a greatly reduced harvest due to the severe cold last winter. A few of the high spots had more fruit but, by and large, southern Idaho saw a severely reduced produc- tion of wine grapes. After the cold winter, weather was cooperative: no disease pressure, and harvest finished a few days ahead of the average date. In the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, growers had a long, cold harvest, and the wet fall pushed har- vest days back. Fruit flavors and colors were concentrated, but sugars were on the lower side. Central Idaho reported it lost production due to winter kill. The Snake River AVA reported across the board a growing season that was gorgeous, with no spring frost and very low mildew pressure. The sunshine helped the vines to recover, and the fall was cooler, with hopes to have the vines go dormant and protect them from the deep chill of winter. A vineyard in the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA reported a challenging growing season with a lot of mil- dew pressure, minimal watering requirements and later harvest. In eastern Idaho, growers reported their growing season to be good, and the warm weather helped reestablish the vineyards in hopes for a much better year next year. Vineyards in the Snake River AVA reported no disease pressure and very low mildew pres- sure, while vineyards in the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA reported a lot of mildew pressure. The Snake River AVA reported a mix of yields. We continued to hear across the board that labor availability was a challenge for vineyards in Idaho. OREGON Patty Skinkis Associate professor and viticulture extension specialist Oregon State University The 2017 season was another high-yield year for Oregon. However, yields in most areas did not surpass those of 2015 (one of the highest yielding years on record). The industry is pleased with the quality of the 2017 vintage. ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° There were high yields in 2017, more mechanical harvest than in prior years and fewer logistical issues for wineries with harvest being more spread out this year (almost one month). Patty Skinkis Associate professor and viticulture extension specialist Oregon State University + Low Shear & Gentle Handling + Dry Running Capability + Flow rates up to 7,500 gpm + Ease of Maintenance (MIP) + Compact, Space Saving Design + Reversible Operation + Whole Grapes, Must, Lees, Pomace, Juice, etc. + Crush Pads, Pump Overs, Transfers + Stationary or Mobile Construction To learn more, contact america@boerger.com, visit w w w.boerger.com or call 612.435.7300 Boerger Representative: P 510.784.0110 F 510.784.1004 W rfmacdonald.com E info@rfmacdonald.com THE PROVEN BLUELINE ROTARY LOBE PUMP WINE PUMPS: Reversible Flow E XCELLENCE – MADE TO L AST