08/28/08 Grape Update

Grape Update. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. It started off on the cool side this spring and that has had an effect on most of agriculture pushing the harvest back by a week or more. But overall the growing season has been a good one and this years grape crop looks like a real good one. Vicky Scharlau is the Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers. SCHARLAU: We do anticipate because of the cooler spring that we'll be about a week behind in terms of our targeted harvest date so Red Mountain is usually about first in the state with the sauvignon blanc. Most areas are looking instead of this week or early next week, probably the end of the first week to the second week of September before we really get into the thick of harvest. This year has been a good year for the industry to branch out a bit. SCHARLAU: I think we're seeing a few of the smaller varieties  some of the Italian varietals that some of the growers have been very excited about are starting to come more and more into production. There still isn't a great amount of those but I think those people that love Washington wines will be able to go to their favorite wineries, check them out on site or even go to your favorite store where they offer Washington wines and you'll be able to see some new and exciting varieties. There are many wine crush festivals taking place all across the state. Be sure and check your local paper or online for locations and times. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.