The 2021 Harvest has opened early. The vintage, generally, is showing the impact of warm and hot weather. Seriously low yields have been reported from Walla Walla to Coombsville. The Columbia Gorge ‘crush’ is kicking off with the Sauvignon Blanc from Mosier on Labor Day. So, if you want fresh bunches of Sauvignon Blanc, come to White Salmon Vineyard in the afternoon to taste the first JUICE of the year.
On 8.27 the S.B. was 20.5° & 2.93 pH, very low cluster count with normal size clusters. I have heard of yields being 60% of normal. Expect to have 21.5° sugar at harvest. This season nature has given White Salmon Vineyard turkeys and increased vigor in its vines. We have begun netting of the Malbec, Syrah, and Blaufrankisch, as these grapes ripen later in the season.
The last 2 weeks have been cool and ideal, perfect for ripening. Sonoma and Napa, and especially hotter sub-regions like Calistoga, are experiencing sugar close to 24° with phenolic (skin & seeds) not keeping pace. Our sampling of WSV Pinot Noir Power & Pete’s Field, 9.1.21 at 22.1° with intense color and seeds starting to darken. All pH’s were 3.04 – 3.09 including the early field of WSV Chardonnay, McAndrew clone with 21.2°. St. Crispin Field of Pinot was 21.1 w/ similar pH.
Russian River Pinot Noir is ready to be picked up fresh around the 6th or 7th of September. Columbia Gorge Sauvignon Blanc whole grapes are available Monday, Sept. 6th., fresh juice is picked up on September 7th.