2022 Washington State Vintage

Longtime Yakima Valley and Red Mountain grower Dick Boushey gave Northwest Wine Report the shortest useful summary of 2022, saying they had three extremes: the coldest spring, some tremendous heat in the middle, and then they were saved by the warmest October ever. It started with a cold, wet winter followed by cool weather through bloom. Buds began to break in late March and the beginning of April for early varieties, somewhat early but by no means unprecedented in recent years. Then came the blizzard of April 11 through 13, the likes of which eastern Washington has seldom seen at that time of year, with record snowfall in some areas, 40 mph winds and temperatures dipping into the mid-20s. Boushey said he had never seen snow with his wind machines running. The snow melted quickly, but the cold damaged primary buds, particularly on Chardonnay and other early-budding varieties, per Kendall Mix of Milbrandt Vineyards and Wahluke Wine Company. Cool weather followed, and buds that had started to break did not finish doing so for as much as three weeks, leaving bud break two to three weeks behind recent years. Warmer temperatures finally arrived in mid-June, but by then the Washington State Wine Commission had the growing season two weeks or more behind. That pushed everything late. Chris Stone of the commission reported that most growers picked very little fruit in September, a stark contrast compared to the past few years. What rescued the vintage was the fall: late September and October brought nearly unprecedented warm weather and perfect growing conditions throughout the Columbia Valley, giving the fruit plenty of time to ripen. Stone called 2022 a bit of a nail-biter through the spring, saying they were handed an absolutely gorgeous fall which allowed the fruit to ripen perfectly. On volume, the cool start plus the warm extended fall contributed to bigger berries and clusters, and a heavier crop overall: 240,000 tons, up 34 percent over 2021, the state's largest since 2018 and third largest in its history. No Washington source consulted published a five-year average tonnage figure, so the comparison here is year over year.

• Cold, wet winter, then cool weather through bloom; bud break started late March into early April for early varieties
• April 11 to 13 blizzard brought record snowfall, 40 mph winds and mid-20s temperatures, damaging primary buds on Chardonnay and other early-budding varieties
• Cool weather stretched bud break out for as much as three weeks, leaving it two to three weeks behind recent years
• Warmth arrived mid-June, leaving the season two weeks or more behind and pushing harvest late
• Most growers picked very little fruit in September, a stark contrast to the past few years
• Late September and October brought nearly unprecedented warm weather across the Columbia Valley
• The crop reached 240,000 tons, up 34 percent over 2021, third largest in state history

The 2022 table shifted toward white varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon stayed on top at 67,015 tons, or 28 percent of total production, up 32 percent over the small 2021 crop. Chardonnay was second at 39,450 tons, or 16 percent, and rose 54 percent. Riesling, Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris rounded out the top seven, which together accounted for 88 percent of the crop. Whites rose 50 percent overall against 23 percent for reds, with Pinot Gris up 70 percent and Sauvignon Blanc up 54 percent. The result was a meaningful change in the color balance: red varieties were 57 percent of total production in 2022, down from 62 percent in 2021. Growers received an average of $1,370 per ton, down $90 from 2021, and Cabernet Franc commanded the highest average price at $2,074 per ton.

• Cabernet Sauvignon led at 67,015 tons, 28 percent of the crop, up 32 percent over 2021
• Chardonnay was second at 39,450 tons, 16 percent, up 54 percent
• The top seven varieties accounted for 88 percent of total production
• Whites rose 50 percent and reds 23 percent; Pinot Gris grew 70 percent and Sauvignon Blanc 54 percent
• Reds fell to 57 percent of production from 62 percent in 2021
• Average price was $1,370 per ton, down $90; Cabernet Franc was highest at $2,074 per ton

Northwest Wine Report framed 2022 as Washington's impossible vintage, given the swings between the coldest spring, tremendous mid-season heat and the warmest October. The commission's read was unambiguously positive. Chris Stone said winemakers and growers alike were thrilled about the quality of the 2022 fruit, citing exceptional flavors and high natural acidity, and called it a standout vintage for Washington wine. The same conditions that produced the high natural acidity also produced volume: the cool start and the long warm fall gave bigger berries and clusters, and therefore a heavier crop. No source consulted offered drinking windows or cellaring guidance, so none are given here.

• Northwest Wine Report called 2022 Washington's impossible vintage for its swing between extremes
• The commission reported exceptional flavors and high natural acidity, calling it a standout vintage
• The cool start and long warm fall gave bigger berries and clusters and a heavier crop overall
• No published drinking windows or cellaring guidance were available from the sources consulted