Wines of the Walla Walla Region, Duane Wollmuth, Executive

Wines of the Walla Walla Region, Duane Wollmuth, Executive

Where it all begins – the vineyards of
the Walla Walla Valley
• Duane Wollmuth
• Executive Director, Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance
Walla Walla Valley AVA
3D Map
History of Walla Walla Valley
Wine Industry
- Grapes grown and wines made as
early as 1860’s
- Early settlers made wines for personal
consumption
- First commercial wines produced in
1870’s
- Vineyards and wine thrived until the
1883 winter freeze
Post Prohibition
• Vineyards and winemaking slowly evolved
following prohibition
• Blue Mountain Winery (1950)was the first
commercial winery in the Walla Walla Valley
following prohibition. Froze out in 1955.
Modern Day Wine Industry
Vineyards or Wineries
Modern Day Wine Industry
• Started with wineries followed by vineyards
• Leonetti Cellar (first winery in 1977)
• Walla Walla Valley wine region officially
recognized by US Govt. in 1984
• 40 acres of vineyard and 5 wineries in 1984
Washington Wine Regions (AVAs)
Today’s Wine Industry
• 120 – 130 wineries
• 2,836 acres of wine grape vineyard
– 53% Washington/47% Oregon
– 118 vineyards
– Top 3 wine varieties
1. Cabernet Sauvignon (1,037 acres, 36.6%)
2. Syrah (492 acres, 17.3%)
3. Merlot (486 acres, 17.2%)
Largest Vineyards
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Les Collines (250 acres)
Seven Hills (167 acres)
Pepper Bridge (165 acres)
E’ritage (151 acres)
Waterbrook Estate (141 acres)
Distinct Growing Regions (Terroirs)
Les Collines Vineyard
Walla Walla Vintners Mill Creek
Vineyard
Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard
SeVein/Seven Hills Vineyards
The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
What makes a good vineyard site?
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Moderate to warm temperatures
Rocky, well-drained, sparse soil
Limited rainfall
Adequate slope
South facing aspect
Elevation 600 – 1,200 feet
Growing Degree Days (GDD)
• A measure of heat accumulation used to
predict plant development rates such as the
date that a flower will bloom, or a crop will
reach maturity.
GDD Calculation
- Daily calculation
Max. Temp. + Min. Temp. - 50 degrees
2
- Example:
74 degrees + 46 degrees = 120 = 60
2
2
60 – 50 = 10 GDD
GDD in Washington State
GDD Map of Walla Walla Valley
Rainfall
Temperature
Aspect
Slope
Annual Grape Growing Timeline
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Bud break (late March/early April)
Flowering (April/early May)
Fruit set (May/June)
Veraison or color change (Late August)
Ripening/harvest(early September – mid-Oct.)
Key Grape Growing Challenges
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Powdery mildew
Insects
Water
Birds/deer
Frost/winter deep freezes
What does the future hold?
• How many acres?
• Where will the most acreage be planted?
• How many wineries?