"So far this year we are tracking very close to historical averages for growing degree days – how we measure heat unit accumulation during the growing season. Budbreak at our sites in the Chehalem Mountains and the Eola Amity Hills occurred right around the third week of April & with mid-June flowering we are on track for harvesting Chardonnay mid-September and Pinot noir in late September.

A wetter than average winter (January & March) set us up well for the growing season with good soil moisture giving our vines a strong start as well as the means to temper the height of summer heat. Variable temperatures in May and June gave the vines plenty of sunshine and warmth for strong growth balanced by cooler temperatures to keep that growth in check. This timing of moderate mean temperatures puts us on a model trajectory which has us looking forward to great things from 2024 and high hopes for a classic Willamette Valley vintage! "

ANNA MATZINGER
Owner/Winemaker
Matzinger Davies Wine Co.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON

"Benza tends to be a hotter site in general and can push through the growing season quite quickly. The offset is in consistently strong winds that cascade down through the mountain channels which cool nights to 45-55 degrees, perfect for the most sensitive Pinot Noir. We saw a slightly wetter and colder spring vs last year. With a lot of moisture in the soil and now a string of beautiful 70-80F degree days, we are watching the growth in the vineyard go light-speed. First sign of bloom at Benza was on June 6th and most of the vineyard is now in the middle of flowering. The timing of bloom seems to be lucky. With little chance of rain in the current forecast, we could see a high quality and consistent crop of fruit from Benza. Fingers crossed, it is Oregon after all…"

PADEN WEST
Winemaker
Benza Vineyard

WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON

"With a very wet December and January we received plenty of precipitation to recharge our groundwater resources. Winter months trended a bit warmer than average (with the exception of a frost/freeze event mid-January) and Spring followed up with cooler than average temps and drier than normal conditions.

Bud break occurred in early April and with the cool temps flowering didn’t peak until mid-June, which sets us up nicely for a late September/early October harvest window. There is plenty of vigor in the vineyard right now and shoot thinning will be required to balance the vines. In all, 2024 appears to be lining up towards an excellent vintage that already reminds me of 2012, which turned out to be glorious weather-wise and an outstanding vintage for our wines."

TIM WILSON
Proprietor
DENISON CELLARS