2021 Washington State Vintage

The Washington State Wine Commission summed up 2021 in a single line: a harvest marked by record-breaking heat during the growing season, resulting in low yields of high-quality fruit. The defining event came at the end of June, when a heat dome descended on the West Coast and shattered previous temperature records. Growers reported that vineyards fared well overall during the extreme heat, but the commission was clear about the cost, which was a reduction in berry size and cluster size. Lacey Charlie Lybecker of Cairdeas Winery described record-breaking heat in June that lasted three weeks and really stressed the vines, resulting in smaller berries and fewer overall clusters, and put crop loads down about 30 percent across the state. Corey Braunel of Dusted Valley put the summer in blunt terms, saying they were hot, with over 30 days above 95 degrees. He also noted that while there were areas of Washington affected by wildfire smoke again, the impacts were far fewer and more dotted across the state rather than blanketed. The rest of the growing season continued warm, and 2021 is considered one of the warmest vintages on record. What saved it was the finish. Steve Warner, president of the commission, said that though it was a very warm year, temperatures did cool down to allow for extended ripening through September and October. On volume, the commission's annual Grape Production Report recorded 179,600 tons, just slightly more than 2020 and up only 1 percent year over year. Warner said both 2020 and 2021 were small harvests, and that in 2021 there was really one major factor that impacted yield size across the state, the historic heat event in June. No Washington source consulted published a five-year average tonnage figure, so the only sound comparison is year over year.

• A heat dome at the end of June shattered previous temperature records and cut berry and cluster size statewide
• Cairdeas Winery reported the record June heat lasted three weeks and put crop loads down about 30 percent across the state
• Dusted Valley recorded over 30 days above 95 degrees and reported wildfire smoke impacts that were dotted rather than blanketed
• The rest of the season stayed warm, making 2021 one of the warmest vintages on record
• Temperatures cooled enough to allow extended ripening through September and October
• The crop came in at 179,600 tons, up just 1 percent over 2020, with the June heat named as the one major factor on yield

Cabernet Sauvignon held its place at the top of the table at 50,865 tons, or 28 percent of total production, a position it has held since 2015. Chardonnay came second at 25,675 tons, or 14 percent. Riesling, Merlot, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc rounded out the top six, and together those six varieties accounted for 84 percent of the crop. Two varieties moved against the heat: Syrah grew 15 percent and Sauvignon Blanc grew 8 percent over 2020, even with the June event. On price, growers received an average of $1,460 per ton, down $35 from the prior year. Mourvedre commanded the highest average price of any variety at $2,447 per ton.

• Cabernet Sauvignon led at 50,865 tons, 28 percent of the crop, and has been the top variety since 2015
• Chardonnay was second at 25,675 tons, 14 percent of the crop
• The top six varieties accounted for 84 percent of total production
• Syrah grew 15 percent and Sauvignon Blanc 8 percent over 2020 despite the heat event
• Average price was $1,460 per ton, down $35 from 2020; Mourvedre was highest at $2,447 per ton

The consistent theme from Washington growers and winemakers was that small berries in a warm year meant concentration rather than damage. Steve Warner reported that winemakers and growers found the overall quality of the fruit to be fantastic, with great flavor and concentration. Cairdeas Winery made the more interesting technical point, which is that despite the heat the grapes were not losing their acid the way they had in other years, and predicted the resulting wines would be more powerful than the previous few vintages but carry incredible depth and concentration. John Abbott of Devona was more direct still, saying 2021 was shaping up to be one of the better Washington State vintages he had worked with. No source consulted offered drinking windows or cellaring guidance for the vintage, so none are given here.

• The commission reported fantastic overall fruit quality with great flavor and concentration
• Cairdeas Winery found the grapes were not losing acid the way they had in other warm years
• The expectation was wines more powerful than the previous few vintages, with depth and concentration
• John Abbott of Devona called 2021 one of the better Washington vintages he had worked with
• No published drinking windows or cellaring guidance were available from the sources consulted