Washington wine reports warm year, low yields and good quality in 2021
SEATTLE, Wash. - The Washington State Wine Commission’s (WSWC) annual production report for 2021 shows last years’ grape harvest was impacted by record-breaking heat, resulting in low yields of high quality fruit.
According to a press release from WSWC, both 2020 and 2021 were small harvests, but for 2021, the key factor that influenced yield size across the state was the historic heat event in June. Growers reported that vineyards were still able to produce during the extreme heat, however it did contribute to a reduction in grape size and cluster size. Despite the weather setback, 179,600 tons of wine grapes were harvested in 2021, just slightly more than 2020.
Featured
Seattle's hottest day on record; triple-digit heat 3 days in a row breaks another record
June 28, 2021 is now the hottest day on record in Seattle. The National Weather Service said its station at Sea-Tac reached 107 degrees Monday afternoon.
"Though a very warm year, temperatures did cool down to allow for extended ripening through September and October," explained Steve Warner, President of the WSWC. "Our winemakers and growers reported the overall quality of the fruit to be fantastic with great flavor and concentration."
- Cabernet Sauvignon was Washington’s most produced variety for 2021, and has been the reigning variety since 2015. For 2021, it came in at 50,865 tons, 28% of the total.
- Chardonnay came in second at 25,675 tons, 14% of the total.
- Reisling, Merlot, Syrah, and Savignon Blanc rounded out the top six, which altogether equated to 84% of the crop, according to WSWC.
The WSWC is also reporting several varieties doing exceptionally well during the heat wave. Syrah grew by 15%, and Sauvignon Blanc grew by 8% since 2020.
WSWC is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987. To learn more, visit their website here.
Featured
120 degrees from historic June heat wave confirmed as Washington statewide heat record
The historic heatwave that blistered the Pacific Northwest in June just added another record to the pile of over 200 records that were shattered during the several-day event: Washington's all-time highest temperature recorded.
Get breaking news alerts in the FREE FOX 13 Seattle app. Download for Apple iOS or Android. And sign up for BREAKING NEWS emails delivered straight to your inbox.
Stay connected with FOX 13 News on all platforms:
DOWNLOAD: FOX 13 News and Weather Apps
WATCH: FOX 13 News Live
SUBSCRIBE: FOX 13 on YouTube
DAILY BRIEF: Sign Up For Our Newsletter
FOLLOW: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram