2007 Growing Season Recap
Dr. Mercy Olmstead, Extension Viticulture Specialist, WSU-IAREC
This year the Washington wine industry had the largest crop on record, with 127, 150 tons harvested. Although the tonnage set a record, the actual tonnage per acre decreased. Thus, the record tonnage harvested was due to the increase in newer vineyard acreage coming into production, bringing Washington’s wine grape vineyard acreage to over 30,000 acres. Concord and Niagara grapes destined for juice and other processing products was expected to bring in over 260,000 tons for the 2007 growing season.
Weather surrounding the bloom period and fruit set was ideal, with warm temperatures leading into May and June. In some locations, some minor frost damage was reported, but in most cases, this only led to an inconsequential decrease in tonnage.
Summer temperatures were average according to our long term data, with around 2500 growing degree days (°F) recorded at WSU-Prosser (Figure 1). Warmer regions of Washington State recorded cumulative growing degree days in the upper 2700-2900 range.
Figure 1. 2007 Cumulative Growing Degree Days for AVAs in Washington State.
Cooler temperatures after Labor Day resulted in one of the best ripening periods on record. This also helped growers manage their harvest from a logistical standpoint, providing for adequate tank space in most wineries and processing plants. From all accounts, grape quality was excellent with average soluble sugars and good acid balance.
Wine grape acreage is slowly expanding in the state, with a number of smaller vineyards coming into bearing and contributing to the overall tonnage in the state. Juice grape acreage is holding steady at approximately 25,000 acres.
According to the Washington Wine Commission, the state's wine industry provides about 14,000 full-time jobs and contributes more than $3 billion annually to the state's economy. In 2006, more than seven million cases of wine were made in Washington, worth about $685 million in retail sales. Currently, there are over 530 wineries in the state, with increased expansion driving the planting of new vineyard acres.
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