Following two of the coolest vintages on record, Oregon winemakers are now struggling to cope with one of the driest.
Gone are worries about low sugar levels and worrisome prospects of entire vineyards never fully ripening because of the long, cold springs in 2010 and 2011.
Bumping those concerns aside this year for the state’s $2.7 billion commercial wine industry are soaring sugars, which can yield wines with too much alcohol, and widespread shriveling of grape clusters brought on by an almost complete lack of rainfall since July.
The result is that many vintners, feeling the need to limit potential losses, are forsaking the extended hang time needed for ideal flavor development.
“We’re seeing a lot of drought stress out there, depending on the site,” said Jessica Cortell, an Amity-based consultant who manages 15 vineyards and consults on another handful. “Canopies are turning yellow and leaves are dropping, forcing people to harvest sooner than later.”
Continuing dry conditions mean that vineyards with irrigation systems appear to be in superior shape when compared with those pursuing dry-land farming, Cortell said.
“We’ve irrigated some vineyards the last few weeks and are definitely seeing a difference,” she said. “Some feel strongly about not irrigating, but I see it as a powerful tool. It gives you more options.”
Kevin Chambers, former president of the Oregon Wine Board and owner of Resonance Vineyard near Carlton, is among the many feeling the pinch to harvest now, before sugar levels soar out of sight.
“I’m picking like a mad man,” Chambers said. “And in the end, I think we will get some very good wines from 2012.”
But, since growing conditions in any particular year are so tied to the wines that vintage will produce, he elaborated — perhaps at his own peril — on his preference for cool over warm years.
“This year’s wines will be big fruit bombs, very California-like,” Chambers said. “I’ll get shot by my cohorts for saying that, but I’d rather have years like 2008, 2010 and 2011. We truly make better wines in those years.”
Elsewhere in the state’s main wine-grape growing areas, similar concerns are playing out.
At Agate Ridge Vineyard in Eagle Point, increased irrigation is being credited for keeping any shriveling of grape clusters to a minimum.

“We’ve done a lot more short irrigation sets than we typically do, but it seems to be paying off nicely,” said Kim Kinderman, the operation’s general manager. “Things have been very, very dry, but the fruit is beautiful.”
Kinderman expects to wrap up harvest within two weeks. Last year, by contrast, crews were still out in the vineyards well into November.
“Every year I say I wish we could have a normal harvest,” she said. “I don’t know that one even exists.”
Scott Hagee, owner of Pheasant Valley Winery in Hood River, is thankful to have drip irrigation lines snaking through his vineyards.
“I’m only down about 10 percent from last year’s crop, but people without irrigation are down considerably more than that,” said Hagee, who started growing wine grapes after the bottom fell out of the apple and pear markets he’d been serving for 20 years. “If we can just get through this harvest without any extended frosts, we should be fine.”
Greg Jones, a professor and research climatologist at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, forecast last winter what is happening now in vineyards across Oregon. Drawing on data from ocean and atmospheric temperature studies, he predicted that 2012 would be a rebound year from the prior two colder-than-normal seasons.
“We still have some cold water out there, but nowhere near as cold as 2010 and 2011,” he said. “Some things have changed just a little bit to make this year much more normal.” Another meteorological bonus is a high-altitude blocking system that’s been shunting rainstorms north toward Alaska, he said.
“By now, the state of Oregon should have had three or four major rain events and we haven’t had any,” Jones said. “And while a lot of people had to pick a little earlier than they’d have liked this year, you are still going to see a lot of smiles on peoples’ faces by the time this harvest is over.”
– Dana Tims
Related topics: agate ridge vineyard, carlton, greg jones, hood river, jessica cortell, oregon wine board, pheasant valley winery, resonance vineyard, southern oregon university

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/10/2012_oregon_wine_grape_harvest.html

Frequently visited resort hotel in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone shares news, articles, suggestions and ideas on matters that might enhance your visit to Subic and Clark Pampanga for vacation and travel, as well as to organize, plan or attend a corporate or social event near Manila.

The best hotels outside Manila in Pampanga and Subic are listed here including a beach resort which is a semi-private establishment located in the central business district near shopping, business, entertainment, airport and other conveniences of Philippines Clark Freeport Zone. This 13 hectare lake beach resort near Manila Philippines is highly recommended for family tourists with children or couples and individuals hoping to relax and enjoy peace and quiet in a laidback American suburban lifestyle.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion

You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

Adding to the charm and attractiveness of the resorts and hotels in Clark Philippines are certain unique factors including safety, a keen sense of security and privacy that the main zone of Clark Freeport Zone offers. Angeles Philippines, Subic or Manila cannot offer the same sense of security like Clark Philippines. It is one of North Luzon Philippines’ top hotels that is trouble free, risk free, and a nice place to have rest in Subic. A well-recognized and interesting hotel.

Pampanga is an important province of the Philippines slated to be the next business and tourism center of the country. Already international traffic prefers the Clark International Airport and tourists find Clark Freeport Zone easier to get around than Manila. Safety, low crime rate, no traffic and low pollution levels all contribute to making Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone a preferred destination for local and international tourists.

For information as well as assistance with reservations in hotels and resorts in Pampanga, Clark Philippines, click here to contact HotelClarkPhilippines now

Or call us at

Hotel Clark Philippines
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177 ask for Pedro or Rechel

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

Email: Info@ClarkPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

YATS Leisure Philippines is a HK-based developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets www.YatsLeisure.com

To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit
http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

For assistance with wedding venues, organizing and planning a wedding reception or to find wedding services and consultants, log on to
www.philippinesweddingvenue.com

To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com

For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers and gourmands looking for good place to eat, fine dining restaurants and family resto bar may want to log on to www.YatsRestaurant.com

In the Freeport zone of Clark, there is a large wine shop that sells excellent vintage wine called Clark Wine Center which offers over 2700 selections of fine wine ranging from p500 to p500,000 a bottle and up. Log on to www. ClarkWineCenter.com for more information.

Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.