2018 Vintage Review

Rain and cooler temperatures in spring of 2018 led to a delayed start to the growing season. Budbreak did not occur until mid-April, but thanks to warmer temperatures in late spring, the vines caught up and flowering happened in early June. As a whole, summer was warmer and drier than average, but with no huge heat spikes (i.e. above 100° F) which would have caused the vines to shut down. Veraison (when the Pinot berries turn from green to red) started on August 4th and led to a healthy and steady ripening of the clusters. Harvest was sunny and dry, and we even saw some cooler nights, which helped to retain the natural acidity and slow the accumulation of sugars in the fruit. Altogether, 2018 has the potential to be one of the best quality harvests in the Willamette Valley.  ~Winemaker Dominique Mahé