Page 49 - Grapevine NovDec 2020

Around The Vineyard

that were most affected.” challenge our talented winemakers rise to the occa-
sion to make wines of place.”
When asked about the
impact of the wildfires on Scott Zapotocky,
the 2020 harvest, Morgen Director of Winegrowing,
McLaughlin, Executive Eola Springs & Chehalem
Director, Willamette Mountain Vineyards,
Valley Wineries Sage Ridge Vineyard, and
Association, offered this Geodesy Wines, pointed
statement via email. in a phone call to some
challenges they’re facing
“As always, the story of the harvest is ever with this year’s harvest.
unfolding. Every year brings new opportunities “It’s making the harvest
and challenges. Every year the winemakers’ job more difficult for sure given the Covid-19 safety
is to navigate what Mother Nature brings, and requirements we’ve had to implement this year
impart knowledge gained from the past with new with working socially distanced and wearing appro-
and innovative resources. Our industry is working priate personal protective equipment. Then put
closely with the scientific community and universi- on top of that the risk of the wildfires that may be
ties conducting research on the topic to continue around. It’s definitely added a level of stress.”
to contribute to our shared understanding of this
industry-wide issue and help to inform ongoing Adding to this uncertainty is the delay of lab
research on the topic of smoke-affected grapes. We testing analysis on this year’s grapes. According
are proud of the vintage diversity the Willamette to Murdoch there’s a backlog of tests with 908
Valley enjoys—every year is special, and with each Oregon wineries eager to know what their wines’

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