2024 Washington State Vintage

The 2024 Washington season started with a scare. Kristina Kelley, executive director of the Washington State Wine Commission, said the year began with an extreme cold event in January, and the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business reported that almost all growing regions were hit, with high-elevation vineyards losing nearly all primary and secondary bud growth. The recovery surprised people. Kelley said that in nearly every region the commission was happy to see the resiliency of the grape vines, and that when spring came there were healthy buds even in the areas hit hardest by the cold. More buds than expected pushed through, which is why a year that could have been catastrophic instead produced a high-quality vintage. From there the calendar ran cool. Spring was generally cool, which led to a slow start to the growing season, and the cool weather persisted through June. In mid July Washington started to see above-average heat, which did not cool down until mid August. Harvest began in late August and early September. Kelley described the harvest weather as ideal and just beautiful, and said growers and winemakers alike were thrilled about the quality of both red and white varieties. The phenology numbers back up the picture of a season only slightly off normal. After the January cold, the commission reported that most other milestones for the growing season were only slightly above or below historical averages. Budbreak and bloom came earlier, but only by days. Veraison ran several days behind historical averages, and so did the start of harvest. Berry and cluster size were slightly below average to average, as were yields. Brix and acids both came in above average, which is the combination that explains the quality reports. Disease and pest pressure was moderate, with growers noting mildew challenges and more mealy bugs than usual. The final crop was small. The Grape Production Report, compiled from information provided by all Washington State wineries and growers, recorded 150,000 tons, a 5 percent decrease over the previous year and the lowest yield since 2011.

• An extreme cold event in January 2024 struck almost all growing regions, with high elevation sites losing nearly all primary and secondary bud growth
• More buds than expected pushed through, and spring brought healthy buds even in the hardest-hit areas
• Spring was cool and the growing season started slowly, with cool weather persisting through June
• Above-average heat ran from mid July to mid August, then harvest began in late August and early September under ideal weather
• Budbreak and bloom came earlier by only days, while veraison and the start of harvest ran several days behind historical averages
• Total production reached 150,000 tons, down 5 percent year over year and the lowest since 2011, with Brix and acids both above average

Cabernet Sauvignon remained Washington's top variety and held steady at 40,589 tons, or 27 percent of total production. Riesling took second place at 22,168 tons, or 15 percent, followed by Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. Those top seven varieties together made up 86 percent of the crop. Broken out by the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, Syrah came in second among reds at 16,161 tons with Merlot third at 12,505 tons, while Chardonnay reached 21,552 tons and Sauvignon Blanc a distant third among whites at 9,543 tons. The color split moved. Red varieties accounted for 55 percent of total production, a decline from prior years, and fell 10 percent compared with 2023. White varieties rose 2 percent, both as a share of the vintage and in crushed tonnage overall.

• Cabernet Sauvignon led at 40,589 tons, 27 percent of the crop, with Riesling second at 22,168 tons
• The top seven varieties together accounted for 86 percent of the 2024 crop
• Syrah reached 16,161 tons and Merlot 12,505 tons, with Chardonnay at 21,552 tons and Sauvignon Blanc at 9,543 tons
• Reds fell to 55 percent of production and dropped 10 percent against 2023, while whites gained 2 percent

Prices moved the other way from volume. Growers received an average of 1,621 dollars per ton in 2024, an increase over the previous year, with Merlot fetching the highest average price at 2,595 dollars per ton. The structural picture was harder. Wine grape acreage in Washington fell to 50,000 acres, its lowest level since 2013, and for the second straight year the state reported ten fewer licensed wineries in operation. Rob McMillan, executive vice president of Silicon Valley Bank, wrote in the bank's annual State of the US Wine Industry report that after 30 years of moving up and to the right it is foreign to see wine industry metrics flatten out, and that the industry lacks a historical solution set to emulate. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the state's largest wine producer, closed the tasting rooms and wine clubs for two of its brands at the end of 2024, following its 2023 announcement that it would significantly cut grape contracts through 2028.

• Average price per ton rose to 1,621 dollars in 2024, with Merlot highest at 2,595 dollars
• Wine grape acreage fell to 50,000 acres, the lowest level since 2013
• The state reported ten fewer licensed wineries for the second straight year
• Ste. Michelle Wine Estates closed tasting rooms and wine clubs for two brands at the end of 2024

For a vintage that began with bud-killing cold and ended as the smallest crop in over a decade, the quality reports were notably positive. Kelley said growers and winemakers alike were thrilled about the quality of both red and white varieties, and the commission reported that despite the January loss, the buds that pushed through led to a high-quality vintage. The chemistry supports that read: Brix and acids both came in above average, which is an unusual and favorable combination, and berry and cluster size ran slightly below average to average, which concentrates skin-derived structure and flavor. Disease and pest pressure stayed moderate, with mildew challenges and more mealy bugs noted by growers, but nothing that dominated the season.

• The Washington State Wine Commission reported a high-quality vintage despite the January bud loss
• Brix and acids both ran above average across the state
• Berry and cluster size came in slightly below average to average
• Disease and pest pressure was moderate, with mildew challenges and increased mealy bug activity