The
first pinot noir of the 2005 harvest reached the winery last Wednesday (9/28).
From the outstanding Deux Vert vineyard, a warmer site, came a selection of
various clones of pinot noir: 113, 114, 115, 667, Wädenswil and
1018. The 1018 clone is not widely planted here, but is one of winemaker Scott
Huffman's favorites. The Pommard clone section of the Deux Vert
vineyard is not yet harvested as it requires more time to ripen than the newer
clones of Pinot Noir.
Although this has been a challenging year for the growers, this first fruit from Deux Vert came in in excellent condition (see photo right) and we are very optimistic about the wine. This fruit was followed by some lovely Pinot Gris from the Del Rio vineyard in southern Oregon on Saturday.
However, rain and cool weather that arrived Friday afternoon put the harvest on hold for a few days. Some small amounts of fruit will come in over the next several days and hopefully a high pressure system promised by the weather service will arrive with sun and some cool, dry breezes to finish up the harvest. While it is far to early to rate the quality of 2005, one thing for sure is the quantity of wine produced will be very low.
I am a new home winemaker. I love Pinot Noir. I need to buy fruit to make my own. Where can a home winemaker buy Pinot Noir grapes. I live in Puyallup Washington
I would like to grow my own as well. Where can a home winemaker buy about 4 Pinot Noir vines? I know the risk. I live in the Puyallup Valley, Randall Hogue, (253) 848-7269
Posted by: Randall Hogue | October 23, 2005 at 12:10 PM
Sorry, I am not sure where to find any Pinot Noir these days. We have been very short ourselves the last two vintages.
Posted by: Craig Camp | October 28, 2005 at 03:21 PM