2007 Willamette Valley / Oregon Vintage

The 2007 growing season started off strong, with a slightly warmer spring than normal that provided ideal conditions for fruit set throughout the state, and the warm spring turned cooler through the summer. Bud break and bloom came on time. The sources differ on summer heat: the Willamette Valley Wineries Association records above normal temperatures, over 100 degrees F, while Wine Spectator reports no heat spikes of 100 degrees F or so, the kind that often disrupt Oregon's growing seasons, and the Oregon Wine Board reports moderate temperatures with no major heat spikes. September ran slightly below normal in temperature, which set up the possibility of long hang times. By early September, fruit composition was ideal in many regions. Then a mid September cool down and rain forced many growers to choose between harvesting quickly and waiting it out. A series of rain fronts progressed weekly across Oregon's vineyards and delayed harvest by two weeks or more. The rain continued off and on for more than a month, dumping 6 to 8 inches, and significant rain events did not let up until late October. Cool, wet conditions are not unheard of in Oregon, but in 2007 they arrived 30 days earlier than recent years had led growers to expect. Some 30 to 40 percent of the crop was picked early to get it in before the rains, and not all of it was really ready; more was harvested between the rain events. Harvest went in spurts in the dry windows between the weekly weather events, and as flocks of migratory birds invaded the vineyards with each storm front, growers used bird netting for the first time. Yields came in near normal to slightly above normal, depending on the conditions when the fruit was harvested.

• A slightly warmer spring than normal gave ideal fruit set statewide, with bud break and bloom on time
• September ran slightly below normal in temperature, opening the possibility of long hang times
• Weekly rain fronts delayed harvest by two weeks or more, with 6 to 8 inches falling over more than a month
• The onset of cool, wet conditions came 30 days earlier than recent years
• Some 30 to 40 percent of the crop was picked early to beat the rain, and not all of it was really ready
• Migratory birds arrived with each storm front, and growers used bird netting for the first time
• Yields came in near normal to slightly above normal, depending on conditions at harvest

Despite the water, there was little mold or rot; one reason, most growers agreed, is that temperatures remained cool during the rains and between them. Tony Rynders, winemaker at Domaine Serene, drew the lesson: "What we learned is that rain, in and of itself, is not necessarily a deal breaker. It's the conditions surrounding it. In 2004 we saw much smaller amounts of rain, and earlier, but it caused more problems." It still took work. Strict vineyard management practices enabled the vines and grapes to withstand mildew pressure. Sam Tannahill, owner and winemaker for A to Z Wineworks, Rex Hill and Francis Tannahill, put the cost plainly: "We needed to spray more and spend much more on farming." Growers who thinned to lower yields and rigorously maintained spray schedules were rewarded with balanced and elegantly ripened fruit.

• Temperatures stayed cool during and between the rains, and there was little mold or rot
• Strict vineyard management let vines and grapes withstand mildew pressure
• Growers who thinned to lower yields and kept rigorous spray schedules got balanced, elegantly ripened fruit

The fruit came in generally lower in sugar and higher in acid, with balanced pH and great flavors. Across the Pinot Noir growing areas, acid levels ran higher than usual and alcohols lower. Southern Oregon, which focuses more on Bordeaux varieties and Syrah, suffered less from the rain and produced generally sound wines. Josh Bergström, proprietor of Bergström Vineyards, said: "I have some of the darkest, most perfumed and exciting wines I think I have ever made." Dr. Greg Jones, a climatologist and professor at Southern Oregon University, drew the year's lesson: "This year may have shown us that all heat is not necessarily good heat!" The Willamette Valley Wineries Association records that many of the white wines achieved significant critical acclaim and that the best Pinot Noirs have benefited from bottle age and are expected to age very well. Wine Spectator graded the 2007 Oregon vintage B.

• Fruit was generally lower in sugar and higher in acid, with balanced pH and great flavors
• Acid levels ran higher than usual and alcohols lower across the Pinot Noir growing areas
• Southern Oregon, with its focus on Bordeaux varieties and Syrah, suffered less from the rain