Life started Early for Pinot Noir, 
and will end Early. 

BY: PETER BREHM

2013 looks like the earliest veraison for White Salmon Vineyard in Washington and for Las Brisas Vineyard in the lowland Carneros in California.

Carneros Pinot Noir had bud break around the third week in April.  As of August 9, they have been in full color and sugar accumulation for a long time. As of August 6, sugars at Las Brisas have varied (due to clone and vineyard rows in the 100+ acre vineyard), but with the highest about 18° brix, with most below.

Weather is King and Queen

The royals have been wonderful to both grape growing regions for different reasons. What I am about to say pertains to the lower ground open to the ocean fog, but not the hilltops. The low country of Sonoma, Napa, and Albany require long sleeve shirts well into the morning. The cool moist air engulfs the vines and grapes at night, preserving the malic acid, and adding to the risk of mildew. The vines are happy, no stress, a good size harvest starting near the 26^th of August.

While the Carneros shivers, Huitzilopochtli (the sun God), has shined on the Northwest, starting early, and has not taken a rest. White Salmon Vineyard has had 85° to 95° days for weeks on end. WSV and Calif’s North Coast both had a couple of very hot days, causing minor sun burn on a few berries.

Explore the differences and the similarities of these 600-mile separated Pinot Noir Vineyards and regions, the contrast of a marine climate and one with a more continental climate. The different ‘hang times’, the different heat distribution during the growing and maturing seasons. WSV is dry farmed, no till, no roundup, planted more densely. Carneros vineyards do irrigate and farm to the high quality standards of Sonoma & Napa premium wineries.

Do Not Miss the finest vintage of White Salmon Vineyard and the very promising vintages of Coastal California.

Steve Bell - BV Harvest Coordinator / Francis Mahoney - Pinot Noir Vineyard Owner / Jonathan Plise - BV Chief Operating Officer