Willamette Valley Vintage Chart: 2000 to 2023

2023

A warm, dry vintage with light yields. Reports from winemakers suggest moderate alcohol levels and the possibility of higher extract wines – more time is needed to make an accurate assessment of the wines (read more here).

2022

Despite an early season frost that had growers worried they wouldn't get any fruit, yields were actually higher than the 2021 vintage. The growing season started cool, warming up in July, and finishing with the warmest October on record. Pinot Noirs have excellent structure and great acidity – built for long ageing. 

2021

A mild and dry winter followed by a cool spring and one of the driest growing seasons on record. A cold period in mid May and a wet first week of June impacted flowering and resulted in some challenges with fruit set. There was heat stress starting in late June, with record-breaking temperature spikes in June. Light rain showers in September and October finished off a dry season. Wines are excellent with high concentration, fresh acidity, and moderate alcohol levels. (Full report here.)

2020

After a dry winter, mild frosts and cool conditions in spring affected fruit set, reducing yields. The growing season was dry and largely devoid of heat stress, leading into what looked to be an idyllic vintage. On 7 September, before harvest started for most producers, high winds ignited fires around the state. Smoke taint is widespread.

2019

A wet second half of winter preceded a wet and warm spring. The first half of the growing season saw moderate temperatures with fewer heat spikes than usual. June and July saw near-record precipitation, increasing disease pressure in the region. Early rains in September made for difficult picking decisions. Temperatures dropped precipitously in October. Overall, this was a relatively cool vintage that resulted in some excellent, balanced wines with restrained alcohol levels.

2018

A mild winter was followed by a cool spring that delayed budburst. Temperatures were warm from May to September with ideal harvest conditions lasting through October. Drought was felt throughout the state leading to lower yields, smaller clusters and smaller berries than average. All varieties seem to have done quite well with intensely concentrated, dense, ageworthy wines produced.

2017

A rainy winter gave way to a wet, cool spring. High temperatures in late May initiated flowering. The plentiful rain from the winter months and a warm growing season created higher-than-average yields of fully ripe fruit. Quality and quantity abound.

2016

Early in all aspects, from budbreak through harvest. The growing season was warm throughout but without the heat of the three preceding vintages. Slightly reduced yields. Very good, dense wines with moderate alcohols.

2015

Much like 2014. An early spring with ideal flowering conditions was followed by a warm, dry summer. Large yields of rich, deeply concentrated fruit with higher-than-average ripeness levels.

2014

A warm, dry spring created perfect flowering conditions, setting a much higher-than-average crop load. Much of this crop was hung onto during a very warm, dry growing season. Fruit ripened fully resulting in an abundance of ripe, rich, concentrated wines. Wineries were bursting at the seams with excellent-quality wine with the only problem being lack of tank space.

2013

A warm growing season led to harvest beginning in early-September. The last week of September saw heavy rainfall that temporarily halted the harvest. October was warm and dry and picking resumed, but with added complications from rot and mildew pressure. Interestingly, the vintage is split into two distinct picking windows. This means the quality of whites and early Pinot Noir is generally very good. Later Pinot Noirs from nimble producers who sorted heavily are also worthwhile.

2012

A cool spring with delayed bloom that was interrupted by wet weather causing problems with fruit set and reducing yield. A warm, dry summer was followed by a dry autumn. A banner year for quality by all accounts.

2011

A very cold spring and a very late growing season. Flowering didn’t occur until July with veraison delayed until September, pushing harvest late into October and November. The latest harvest in most growers’ memories. The start of October was wet, increasing disease pressure. Low-alcohol, high-acid wines.

2010

An incredibly cool vintage with a mild and dry winter, warm January and February, and a cool spring and summer. A warm period in October succeeded in ripening grapes for harvest. Low- to moderate-alcohol, high-acid wines with a pure expression of fruit character.

2009

A warm and dry spring with good flowering conditions setting heavy crop loads. A warm and dry summer created some dehydration but overall this was a good vintage.

2008

Late budbreak, a moderate summer, and perfect harvest conditions resulted in incredibly well-balanced, flavourful, ageworthy wines. Yields were low.

2007

A summer of heat spikes was followed by a cool September. Successive rainstorms delayed harvest and birds were a problem. A very challenging vintage.

2006

Favourable conditions during bloom were followed by a warm, dry summer. Heat and wind before harvest caused dehydration, creating incredibly concentrated, ripe wines with high alcohol levels.

2005

Early budbreak was followed by cool weather that delayed flowering and affected fruit set. Summer was warm and dry. Rains in September were light enough to balance fruit without doing damage, resulting in good-quality wines.

2004

Poor weather at fruit set meant low yields. A hot and dry summer with light rains in August and September restored balance to vines. Overall good quality with whites even a bit better than reds.

2003

A hot and dry season with very clean, ripe fruit, and notable resultant alcohols.

2002

Early budbreak was followed by a moderate summer devoid of heat spikes. An inch of rain in September staved off water stress. Conditions following the rain were warm and dry with little disease pressure, allowing an extended harvest. Full yields with full ripeness and well-balanced acidities.

2001

Ideal flowering conditions resulted in higher yields. A warm, dry summer and large crop load resulted in alcohols restrained by yield but overall this was a relatively light, fleshy vintage without the ageworthiness of 2002.

2000

A moderate-to-warm growing season with light rains towards the end of harvest. Very good quality for those not caught in late-season rain.