PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon wine grape crop is off to a slow start with cool spring weather.
The Oregonian reports that vintners around the state are coping with yet another late growing season.
Harry Peterson-Nedry is the founder and winemaker at Chehalem winery in Newberg. He says just a little sunshine early this week set off a growth spurt because it’s been so gray and cool this spring.
A late start makes it difficult to catch up. The grapes need a long time on the vine to develop the right mix of acids and sugars, while summer heat spikes can flood grapes with too much sugar, and there is always the danger of early fall rain.