2005 Willamette Valley / Oregon Vintage

Oregon came through one of the driest winters and wettest springs on record. The vines got off to a very early start, with bud break in March. Late May and June then turned cool and rainy, which led to a late bloom and a reduced crop through poor set. A warm, dry July and August followed, and the growing season as a whole was warm, not hot. Fall was cool, and it rained significantly late in September. Harvest followed in dry conditions over the next few weeks, and there was almost no damage to the fruit from splitting or rot. Autumn rains, particularly in the Willamette Valley, were a defining factor of the vintage; in the southern part of the valley, some vineyards finished picking before the major rains set in. Oregon's harvest occurred later than most expected. At Raptor Ridge Winery in Scholls, the wines arrived at ripeness unusually late, and most of the grapes were still fermenting and being pressed as of November 10, 2005.

• One of the driest winters and wettest springs on record
• Very early start with March bud break, then cool, rainy late May and June giving a late bloom and reduced crop from poor set
• Warm, dry July and August in a season that was warm, not hot
• Cool fall with significant rain late in September, then dry conditions for harvest over the following weeks
• Almost no damage to the fruit from splitting or rot
• Harvest later than most expected, with ripeness arriving unusually late at Raptor Ridge Winery
• Some southern Willamette Valley vineyards finished picking before the major rains

Yields varied around the state, with a slight overall increase from 2004. Throughout Southern Oregon, yields ranged from 20 percent below forecast to 10 percent above, averaging 5 percent below. WillaKenzie Estate's Pinot Noir yield rose to 2.05 tons per acre, against 1.38 in 2004. At Eola Springs Vineyards in Salem, tonnage was up 20 percent from the previous year, with a very good Pinot Gris yield but smaller clusters and berries. At Willamette Valley Vineyards in Salem, Pinot Gris was hit the hardest by rain during bloom, yet the whites, including Pinot Gris, showed wonderful fruit flavors despite the lower yields.

• Statewide yields varied, with a slight overall increase from 2004
• Southern Oregon ranged from 20 percent below to 10 percent above forecast, averaging 5 percent below
• WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir: 2.05 tons per acre, against 1.38 in 2004
• Eola Springs Vineyards: tonnage up 20 percent, with smaller clusters and berries
• Willamette Valley Vineyards: Pinot Gris hit hardest by rain during bloom, with wonderful fruit flavors in the whites

Although moderate in temperature, 2005 was the coolest vintage of the previous six years. In Burgundy a good rainstorm in early September is held to be a basic ingredient of a great vintage, and the Willamette Valley Wineries Association calls 2005 a classic example of fall rains providing balance to the fruit after a dry summer, with well balanced wines of moderate alcohol, good acidity and supple tannins. After recent vintages of warmer weather, early ripeness and higher alcohol, the Oregon Wine Board's harvest report called 2005 a return to a more classic Oregon vintage, with cooler temperatures expected to lead to lower alcohol levels, structured acidity and ideal flavor development. Sugar levels were down and natural acidity higher than in past years, and increased acidity in many of the grapes was likely to result in more food-friendly and ageable wines. Raptor Ridge Winery reported excellent and balanced flavors, with everything due in barrel within days. Decanter reports Willamette Valley producers saying the vintage would be a return to finesse and elegance.

• The coolest vintage of the previous six years, though moderate in temperature
• Fall rains brought balance to the fruit after a dry summer, giving wines of moderate alcohol, good acidity and supple tannins
• Sugar levels down and natural acidity higher than in past years, pointing to more food-friendly and ageable wines
• The Oregon Wine Board called 2005 a return to a more classic Oregon vintage, with lower alcohol levels and structured acidity
• Decanter reports producers expecting a return to finesse and elegance