Sean P. Sullivan's Northwest Wine Report

As wineries and tasting rooms started to work amidst pandemic restrictions, contributing photographer Richard Duval began his long-delayed travels around the Washington wine community. Keeping to all precautions and staying within the restrictions of the regions, he’s made brief forays to eastern Washington wine country, including a rich (and solo) morning to Double D Vineyard, the estate vineyard of  Rocky Pond Winery.

Situated along the Columbia River just south of Chelan against the backdrop of the craggy the Entiat Mountains, the vineyard has long been a favorite stop for Duval. This particular morning underscored the reasons.

“It was a perfect temperature and soft morning light poured like honey along the rows from where winemaker Shane Collins makes his magic,” Duval said. “A wonderful morning that uplifted my spirits and reminded me yet again of the beauty and the resiliency of Washington wine country.”

Click on the picture to see a larger image.

Veraison, the changing of color of the grapes, has commenced in the Columbia Valley.

Precept Wine vineyard manager Brittany Komm-Sanders noted veraison in Cabernet Sauvignon and Dolcetto at the winery's Skyfall Vineyard in Yakima Valley on July 21st. Veraison began in Cabernet on that same date in 2019 and on July 12th for Dolcetto.

Meanwhile Browne Family Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley, another Precept property, saw veraison in its Tempranillo. Veraison occurred in this same block on July 23rd last year.

Overall, 2020 Growing Degree Days, a measure of heat accumulation, are slightly above long-term averages.

Veraison always means one thing: harvest is not far off.

Picture courtesy of Brittany Komm-Sanders.