2019 Washington State Vintage

The 2019 growing season was unlike anything Washington had seen in recent years. It began with an unusual late-winter storm that left snow in the vineyards in February and into March, delaying pruning and other vineyard work. This contributed to greater soil moisture, increased canopy growth, and a delayed bud break and bloom. Summer was warm but notably lacking the extreme heat spikes that had characterized recent vintages, with overall growing season temperatures slightly above 20-year averages but nowhere near as hot as the years that preceded it. July brought concentrated heat in some areas before temperatures moderated through August and September. The season ended sharply when an early October frost, well-forecast but damaging, cut the growing season roughly two weeks before the typical finish.

• Late-winter snow in February through March was uncommon for Washington and delayed vineyard work statewide
• Summer temperatures were cooler and more even than recent years, with a notable lack of prolonged heat spikes
• July brought heat reaching up to 100°F in some areas, followed by a moderate August and September
• An early October freeze terminated the growing season prematurely, particularly affecting lower-elevation sites with late-hanging Cabernet Sauvignon

The early October freeze was the defining event that separated 2019's winners from its also-rans. Sites at higher elevations, such as those in the Walla Walla Valley above the frost line, were largely unaffected and produced wines of remarkable quality. Leonetti Cellar's vineyard sites, positioned above the freeze zone, were particularly successful. Lower-elevation sites in the Columbia Valley and those carrying higher yields bore the brunt of the frost damage, with some growers forced to leave fruit unpicked. Walla Walla Valley's upper-elevation Cabernet sites, Walla Walla's Rocks District, and the Ancient Lakes AVA all delivered standout results for those producers who had already picked ahead of the freeze.

• Higher-elevation Walla Walla Valley sites above the frost line produced some of the vintage's most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignons
• The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, defined by its ancient basalt cobblestone soils, yielded structured and site-specific wines at qualifying sites
• Lower-elevation and higher-yield sites sustained the greatest freeze damage, with some fruit left unpicked due to concerns about quality
• Producers who completed harvest before the frost delivered the vintage's top results across all appellations

Despite the challenges of the October freeze, 2019 delivered landmark wines from producers with access to higher-elevation or early-ripening sites. Quilceda Creek's 2019 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced entirely from Champoux Vineyard (90%) and Mach One Vineyard (10%) in the Horse Heaven Hills, earned 99 points from both Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck, with just 4,125 cases produced. Leonetti Cellar's 2019 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, earned 99 points from Jeb Dunnuck. K Vintners, under winemaker Brennon Leighton, produced a range of well-regarded 2019 Syrahs from Walla Walla and Wahluke Slope vineyards. James Suckling's team reviewed 600 bottles for their 2022 Washington State report, focused primarily on the 2019 vintage, rating seven Leonetti wines 95 points or higher.

• Quilceda Creek 2019 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: 99 pts Wine Advocate, 99 pts Jeb Dunnuck; 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Champoux and Mach One vineyards, 4,125 cases
• Leonetti Cellar 2019 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon: 99 pts Jeb Dunnuck; 89% Cab Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Cab Franc
• K Vintners 2019 Syrah lineup (Powerline, The Hidden, Royal City): multiple bottlings from Walla Walla and Wahluke Slope, praised for savory complexity and freshness
• Leonetti's single-vineyard Cabernets from high-elevation Walla Walla sites received scores of 96-97 points from Owen Bargreen, noted for their position above the October freeze zone

By 2026, the 2019 vintage has moved firmly into its approachable phase for mid-tier reds, while top Cabernet Sauvignons from Walla Walla Valley and Horse Heaven Hills remain in an early development stage. Quilceda Creek's 2019 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was recommended best after 2030 by Wine Enthusiast critic Sean Sullivan, while Leonetti's estate Cabernet was projected to evolve for 30 years or more from vintage. Wines from lower-elevation Columbia Valley sites that came through the frost cleanly are likely at peak drinking now. Whites and aromatic varieties from 2019 should generally be consumed sooner rather than later to preserve their characteristic freshness and acidity.

• Quilceda Creek 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon: best after 2030 per Wine Enthusiast; projected drinking window through 2045
• Leonetti 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon: needs 4-6 years minimum from release to hit maturity; projected to evolve for 30 years or more
• Mid-tier Columbia Valley reds from frost-unaffected sites: in prime drinking window now through the late 2020s
• White wines and Riesling: consume soon for optimal freshness; the vintage's higher natural acidity supports some continued evolution

The 2019 vintage is best understood as a counterpoint to the warm, powerful 2018 vintage immediately preceding it. Where 2018 was broadly celebrated as near-perfect, 2019 presented genuine challenge and rewarded the most attentive growers and producers. The cooler temperatures and higher natural acidity give the best 2019 reds a precision and freshness not always found in Washington State's warmest years. Reds from top sites display lifted aromatics, well-defined structure, and a savory character alongside dark fruit. The vintage has divided opinion among producers, with some preferring the power of 2018 and others embracing 2019's freshness and tension.

• Cooler temperatures produced lower sugar accumulation and higher natural acidities relative to the preceding two vintages
• Top reds show classic Washington generosity of fruit alongside greater structural tension and freshness than warmer years
• The vintage rewarded site selection: high-elevation and early-ripening plots outperformed lower valley floors
• White wines and Riesling benefited from the cooler season, retaining bright acidity and aromatic definition

The 2019 harvest was the smallest Washington had seen since 2012, driven by a combination of early-October frost damage, deliberate pullback by some larger wineries facing oversupply, and the cooler season's effect on yields. The Washington State Wine Commission reported 201,000 tons crushed, down 23% from 2018's 261,000 tons. Despite the reduced volume, grape prices rose, with farmers receiving an average of $1,315 per ton, an 8% increase over the prior year. Petit Verdot commanded the highest average price at $1,876 per ton. Cabernet Sauvignon led production at 53,740 tons (27% of the total), followed by Chardonnay at 33,540 tons and Riesling, Merlot, and Syrah rounding out the top five.

• Total 2019 crush: 201,000 tons, down 23% from 2018, the smallest harvest since 2012
• Average grape price rose 8% to $1,315 per ton despite the reduced volume
• Cabernet Sauvignon led at 53,740 tons (27% of total); Chardonnay second at 33,540 tons
• Riesling production continued a multi-year decline, falling to 23,325 tons versus 44,100 tons as recently as 2015