Sean P. Sullivan's Northwest Wine Report

While bud break is beginning in some parts of the Columbia Valley, snow continues to fall in the mountain passes – a not-so-subtle reminder that winter is not completely done with Washington wine country.

Contributing photographer Richard Duval recently revisited a favorite spot, Rocky Pond Estate Winery's Double D Vineyard, to capture one last scene of snow on the vines. Double D lies in the proposed Rocky Reach appellation, south of Chelan. Contrast this image to July 2020’s Pic of the Vine, and you’ll see that vineyard maintenance is a year-round activity.