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. Les Collines (250 acres) 2. Seven Hills (167 acres) 3. Pepper Bridge (165 acres) 4. E’ritage (151 acres) 5. 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? • 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 • 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 • 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?.