2015 Willamette Valley / Oregon Vintage

2015 opened warm and stayed that way. Warm winter weather continued through spring and summer. Bud break came in March, two to three weeks early depending on region and vineyard site. Higher than normal spring temperatures continued the early trend and created exceptional conditions for bloom, flower and fruit set. Summer stayed warmer than usual, and grape clusters grew far larger than typical as a result. Light scattered showers fell in late August, and September brought a return to normal weather. Most growers slowed ripening by leaving extra fruit on the vine, and as September settled into standard weather patterns, that fruit matured more gradually. Harvest started around August 26 across the state, one of the earliest on record. WillaKenzie Estate began picking as early as September 2. J.P. Valot of Silvan Ridge Winery and Elizabeth Chambers Cellar started harvest on September 8, the earliest in their 36 years, and finished on October 20. Willamette Valley wineries finished harvest by the end of September to early October. The crop was large, an all-time record 84,949 tons statewide. Valot also put Willamette Valley yields at three to four tons per acre, against the two to two and a half tons per acre that were the rule when he came to Oregon in 2001.

• Warm winter weather continued through spring and summer
• Bud break arrived in March, two to three weeks early depending on region and vineyard site
• Higher than normal spring temperatures produced exceptional bloom and fruit set, and clusters ran far larger than typical
• Light scattered showers fell in late August, followed by a return to normal weather in September
• Statewide harvest started around August 26; Willamette Valley wineries finished by the end of September to early October
• Oregon brought in an all-time record 84,949 tons

Growing conditions from bud break through harvest produced virtually pristine fruit, with minimal signs of disease and no concern over pest or bird damage. Some sites did experience sunburnt grapes.

• Fruit came in virtually pristine, with minimal signs of disease
• There was no concern over pest or bird damage
• Some sites experienced sunburnt grapes

J.P. Valot of Silvan Ridge Winery called 2015 another vintage of high yields and high quality, the second in a row. Leaving extra fruit on the vine let it mature more gradually and develop flavors balanced against acids. Harry Peterson-Nedry of Chehalem Wines saw the same color, beautiful fruit, concentration and suppleness as in 2014, with whites again fully ripe, texturally rich and yet balanced. In Decanter's harvest report, producers called it a stellar crop.

• The second vintage in a row of high yields and high quality, in J.P. Valot's view
• Extra hang time let fruit mature gradually, with flavors balanced against acids
• Whites at Chehalem Wines came in fully ripe, texturally rich and yet balanced
• Producers in Decanter's harvest report called it a stellar crop