Vintages

2000 Washington State Vintage

Veterans called it one of the coolest growing seasons in two decades, then a warm, dry fall pushed picking into late October and gave dark, concentrated reds.

2000 was one of the coolest Washington growing seasons in two decades, yet harvest weather turned unusually warm and dry. A sorely needed warm spell in September lifted sugar levels, the warmth held until a mid-October rain that revived battered fruit, and picking extended into late October. Cabernet Sauvignon came in with unusually small clusters and berries, which contributed to concentrated flavors and strong tannins. The statewide crop was 84,500 tons, and the Washington State Wine Commission calls hang time ideal, with grape flavor maturity catching up to sugar accumulation. It was also the first year Washington harvested more red varieties than white.

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Growing season

Veterans described 2000 as one of the coolest growing seasons in two decades. Harvest weather went the other way, turning unusually warm and dry. A sorely needed warm spell in September allowed sugar levels to perk up, and that warmth ran on until a mid-October rain. The rain was a blessing, because it revived fruit that was looking battered by the warm spell. Picking extended into late October, and hang time was ideal, allowing grape flavor maturity to catch up with sugar accumulation. The statewide crop came in at 84,500 tons.

One of the coolest growing seasons in two decades
Harvest weather was unusually warm and dry, with a September warm spell lifting sugar levels
The warm spell ran until a mid-October rain, which revived battered fruit
Picking extended into late October, with ideal hang time
The statewide crop was 84,500 tons

Key Facts

2000 was one of the coolest Washington growing seasons in two decades
A sorely needed warm spell in September allowed sugar levels to perk up, and the warm, dry weather held until a mid-October rain
The mid-October rain was a blessing, because it revived fruit that was looking battered by the warm spell
Picking extended into late October, with hang time allowing grape flavor maturity to catch up with sugar accumulation
Cabernet Sauvignon had unusually small clusters and berries, which contributed to concentrated flavors and strong tannins
The statewide crop was 84,500 tons
2000 was the first year more red varieties were harvested in Washington than white
Decanter marked the vintage "Keep" and named Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge, Columbia Winery, L'Ecole #41 and Leonetti as the stars of the year

The wines

Cabernet Sauvignon had unusually small clusters and berries in 2000, which contributed to concentrated flavors and strong tannins. The Wine Commission's summary of the year points the same direction, describing dark, concentrated reds alongside fresh, balanced whites. Decanter marked the vintage "Keep".

Small clusters and berries in Cabernet Sauvignon contributed to concentrated flavors and strong tannins
The Wine Commission describes dark, concentrated reds alongside fresh, balanced whites
Decanter marked the vintage "Keep"
Decanter named Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge, Columbia Winery, L'Ecole #41 and Leonetti as the stars of the year

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Why 2000 matters

2000 was the first year in which Washington harvested more red varieties than white. The season is also a reminder of how much late-season weather can matter: the mid-October rain revived fruit that was looking battered by the warm spell.

First Washington vintage in which more red varieties than white were harvested
The mid-October rain revived fruit that was looking battered by the warm spell

Exam Study NotesWSET / CMS

2000 was one of the coolest Washington growing seasons in two decades, with a September warm spell and an unusually warm, dry harvest that extended picking into late October.
A mid-October rain arrived after the extended warm spell and revived fruit that was looking battered.
Cabernet Sauvignon had unusually small clusters and berries, contributing to concentrated flavors and strong tannins.
The statewide crop was 84,500 tons, and 2000 was the first year Washington harvested more red varieties than white.
Decanter named Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge, Columbia Winery, L'Ecole #41 and Leonetti as the stars of the vintage.

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