The magic begins notes resident Washington Wine Report photographer Richard Duval and for proof, he sent this image as April’s Pic of the Vine – a majestic view of Mt. Hood keeping watch over bud break at Cascade Cliffs along the Columbia River.

“Bud break is akin to the waving of the flag at the start of a race,” he notes. “For wine folks, bud break means the magic – and a whole lot of hard work – has started. Time for another great season.” Click on the picture for a larger image.