Cabernet Franc at Yellowhawk Vineyard, Mariano Diaz, Walla Walla Elite Vineyards

Date approximately two weeks ahead of recent historical averages

Bud break has begun in the Columbia Valley. Sagemoor Vineyard in the White Bluffs appellation reported bud break in Chardonnay, Grenache, and Viognier on March 21. (Note: This is an estimate. Bud break occurred sometime between March 20 and 22 and was observed March 23.) Yellowhawk Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley reported bud break in Cabernet Franc on March 23. Sadie Drury reported bud break in Nebbiolo at Windrow Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley. Shaw Vineyards reported bud break in Quintessence Vineyard Merlot on March 24.

This is early, though not historically so. Bud break dates have ranged from March 15 (2015) to April 26 (2023) over the last 14 years. The average bud break date is April 2, and the median is April 4. (See a table of growing season markers since 2013.) This would put this year’s bud break about two weeks ahead of recent averages.

It is likely that the historic heat that occurred over much of the country last week has pushed bud break forward in a number of locations. Overall, it was a mild, dry winter in the Pacific Northwest.

The largest concern with an early bud break is that it extends the time period for the possibility of spring frost. This occurred most recently in 2022, with growers in the Willamette Valley particularly hard hit. Some areas of eastern Washington are forecasting temperatures in the mid to low 30s later this week, so expect wind machines to be on in lower lying areas.

While bud break is important, the schedule of the 2026 growing season will be much more dependent on when bloom occurs. That can reliably predict when (approximately) harvest will start. Bloom has started, on average, in the Columbia Valley around the third week of May in the last decade.

To receive notifications about new articles via email, click here.

Do you enjoy Northwest Wine Report? If you do and haven’t already, please subscribe. Northwest Wine Report is 100% subscriber funded. To those who have subscribed, thank you! You power this site.