Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Whole Cluster

VINTAGE FACT 2016 Similar to the last two vintages the 2016 growing season continued to push the envelope for defining the new normal in Oregon as one of the earliest on record. An unusually warm spring gave way to moderate summer conditions which provided even growing conditions through veraison. Though it was an intense growing season due to the early start the fruit produced wonderful concentration and complexity with characteristic natural acidity. Bud break kicked off the vintage two to four weeks earlier than normal. A short heat spell at bloom condensed the flowering period resulting in a smaller fruit set. Summer provided average conditions with fewer heat spikes than the 2014 or 2015 vintages which led to smaller berry size and a higher concentration of flavors. Warmer than normal conditions in most areas in August shepherded along the early vintage and most vineyards started to harvest early ripening varieties during the last week of the month or early September. The