2022 Vintage Report
A Highly Promising Vintage
As the fall approaches, we are on the brink of unveiling exquisite wines from 2022. We are excited to recount the narrative of another truly remarkable vintage. Below, you will discover the vintage report compiled by our winemaking team!
The 2022 growing season in the Willamette Valley began with a mild winter that turned into a warm and dry March, prompting an earlier bud break. The following month was marked by a frost event on April 14th-- a one-in-every-50-year weather phenomenon. The frost and subsequent conditions affected buds that had begun emerging from dormancy and set vine growth back 2 to 4 weeks. The weather remained cool and wet for the rest of April and throughout May. Warm weather finally came in late June, just in time for flowering, and produced a great fruit set and rapid shoot growth.
Such as in previous years, summer was marked by a few heat spikes. Thankfully, the soils were saturated with water from a damp spring, allowing the vines to produce a healthy canopy to carry them through the season. During late summer and early fall, we witnessed cool nights and warm days, which facilitated the retention of acidity in the grapes and prolonged hang time. October was hotter than average, allowing the grapes to fully mature before colder temperatures settled in the valley. Overall, the season remained moderate and ideal for grape maturation.
The vineyard management practices employed during the 2022 growing season played a crucial role in shaping the quality of the wines. Challenges were created due to the large amount of canopy growth, increasing powdery mildew pressure. We had to be diligent with canopy management and integrate disease control practices. However, the exceptional climatic conditions and meticulous vineyard management efforts resulted in outstanding grape quality for the 2022 vintage.
Pinot Noir, the flagship grape of the Willamette Valley, demonstrated exceptional depth and complexity. The berries achieved optimal phenolic ripeness, offering a balance of rich fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and well-integrated tannins. The Pinots from 2022 are expected to showcase expressive aromatics, ranging from red and black fruits to floral and spice notes. Chardonnay, another prominent varietal in the region, displayed excellent flavor development, with ripe fruit character, refreshing acidity, and well-defined structure.
The 2022 vintage in the Willamette Valley is anticipated to be highly promising. The combination of favorable climatic conditions, sustainable vineyard management practices, and the dedication from winemakers to quality is expected to yield wines of exceptional character and complexity. Wine enthusiasts can look forward to experiencing the unique expression of the region's terroir through the vibrant and well-balanced wines produced during this vintage. The 2022 wines from the Willamette Valley are poised to captivate wine lovers and further enhance the region's reputation as a premier wine-growing destination.