11-12 IAT Idaho Wine
Many of Idaho’s 50+ wineries are in the process of wrapping up the 2013 harvest season. While they are celebrating, it is also time to reflect on what this year’s haul looks like and what future vintages will bring.
This year’s growing season was an interesting one—the later-than-usual January frosts did some damage but Idaho winemakers are very optimistic for the finalized product. “The fruit is a higher quality this year, which means we will have higher quality wines,” said Patrick Williamson, manager at Williamson Orchard and Vineyard. “While we aren’t necessarily thrilled with a lower tonnage per acre, when the fruit is this good we will gladly take the trade off.”
The hot summer was phenomenal for the grapes; it definitely helped off set the unusual early cold that arrived this fall. Harvest for most wineries began in mid-September and ran through mid-October.
Despite this irregular season, winegrowers and winemakers are optimistic and excited to see how the juice from this year’s harvest turns out. Nature has caused yields to be lighter, but for the flavors to be more concentrated.
“This years harvest was not for the feint-hearted,” said Leslie Preston, proprietor and wine maker at Coiled Wines. “I have no doubt that this year’s wine will taste great and be some of the best wine Idaho has seen to date.” Preston produces one of the best Rieslings in the state and was recently awarded Best In Show at the fourth annual Idaho Wine Competition.
