2023

Year in Review

Overview

The 2023 growing season was considered to be quite “normal”.  April and May temps tracked along the lines we should expect over our 50 – year average.  Lake Chelan AVA vineyards which were hurt by sub – zero temperatures in December of 2022, were tasked with re-growing their vines without the benefit of a crop.  While our estate vineyard did not experience temperatures as low as others in the valley, it was injured to the point of having a significantly reduced crop.  Some area vineyards were killed to the ground.  Having grape contracts in other Washington State AVA helps cushion the blow when one’s vineyard is damaged by cold weather.

Some Highlights:

The Winter:  A mild winter to say the least.  The lowest temperatures experienced from January 1st through end of March was 5 degrees Fahrenheit.  There was about 5 inches of precipitation (some fell as snow) January through March.  Though not enough snow pack to cross country ski in at the vineyard, it provided good weather to prune by.  Early March temperatures were normal leading most to believe area vintners were going to have a warm growing season.

The Spring: As mentioned in the Overview, the Spring weather made growers very hopeful.  Weather and precipitation late – March through the end of June were very agreeable.  About 3 inches of rain fell over this three month period.  Vines pushed growth as expected in April and continued to flourish through the end of Spring.  Disease pressure (mildew) was moderate to light.

The Summer:  Late – June through mid – September graced the Lake Chelan valley with excellent growing conditions.  The highest temperature recorded was 103 degrees Fahrenheit, which is expected for our area.  The inch of rainfall that fell over this three month period was not injurious in the least.  Vines continued to grow at normal levels.  The low amount of precipitation enabled us to control vine growth to our liking.  It did require a tad more irrigation than in previous years.

The Harvest:  Athena and I returned from our trip to Italy just in time for me to commence bringing in the 2023 harvest.  From the second week of September through the second week of October, grapes were picked and processed in a smooth and professional manner.  Every lot of grapes possessed superb sugar – acid – tannin ratios.  The growing season plus our winemaking skill will reward you with excellent wines from the 2023 vintage.

Post Harvest:  Fermentations proceeded smoothly yielding wines with exceptional depth of color and flavors.  This will be a vintage where red wines will possess moderate tannin and acid levels.  Upon completion of the yeast fermentation, the young red wines were racked off of the yeast sediment to experience the malo – lactic conversion in French and American oak barrels.  I am truly excited about the quality of our 2023 vintage wines!