Tony Rynders Blog

The Heat is On

2009-07-06T16:51:27Z

While 2009 started out cool and late in the Pacific Northwest, we have certainly made up for it in recent weeks. An unprecedented streak (3 1/2 weeks) of sunny and warm weather in late May/early June really helped to catch things up. The extended daylight hours during this time of year results in enormous gains in growth. Bloom started around the 10th of June and completed by the end of the month. This was followed by 5 days of 90+ degree weather that really moved maturity ahead. Our 2 1/2 weeks delay has been erased and we are NOW about 5 days ahead! Clusters are sizing up and vineyards look great.

Start to the 2009 Season...2008 Revisited?

2009-04-30T05:30:33Z

As we approach the end of April, growing season in the Pacific Northwest is about two weeks late. In Oregon, we saw bud break around the 22nd of April after a few days of 70+ degree weather. But this past winter and the start of spring has certainly been cool. In 2008, we experienced a similar start to bud break around the 25th of April. The key here is that we can actually make up some growth this time of year. So we will watch the next 4-6 weeks closely as we get a better feel as to the nature of this vintage. The good news is that if we do repeat the growing conditions from last year, we could achieve the same glorious results in the subsequent wines!

2008...A Vintage Victorious

2008-12-03T18:06:01Z

Now that the dust has settled and the last of the 2008 wines have made their way to barrel, its time to resume regular blog posts. Many apologies for the the long, dry season in this regard...

This has been an exciting vintage in many regards. For the first time, I have made wine in two locations simultaneously (the Walla Walla and the Willamette Valley). I wish to express my most sincere thanks to the great staff in both locations for making both harvests extremely successful. And I also appreciate the faith that my clients have placed in me to make the best wines possible for them.

While the vintage began with some challenging weather in early October, the balance of the month provided the conditions necessary for ripening. The Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley and the Cabernet and Merlot from eastern Washington/Oregon are stunning. I can't think of a better vintage to start my business and to launch a brand.

Slow and Steady

2008-09-04T18:40:21Z

Labor Day has come and gone, but harvest looms well off into the distance. A series of rain events and cool weather has dramatically slowed down the development of the grapes. In the Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir is 25-70% through veraison (color change or berry softening). This is surprising as bloom was very compact and the first color was seen around the 10th of August. Most of us, including Tony Rynders Consulting, expected veraison to complete within two weeks. The slow completion to veraison can only be attributed to cooler weather in late August.

In the Columbia Valley, things are a bit further ahead. I was in the Horse Heaven Hills and the Walla Walla Valley two days ago, and all varieties are well through veraison. Merlot is 95 % through veraison while Cabernet is 75-80 % complete. The cooler weather in August was a welcome arrival in eastern Washington as ripening has been very gradual in 2008. This is good news as hot temperatures often dominate in August.

Mr. Rynders goes to Washington

2008-08-01T16:56:52Z

I was in eastern Washington a few days ago meeting with a couple of potential clients. I also stopped by the Octave Vineyard in Walla Walla. This is the vineyard in which I am a partner. So far, the growing season has been absolutely beautiful. The vines are looking very healthy and the weather is pratically ideal. Daytime temps are remaining in the 80's while evening lows are in the 50's. These are perfect conditions for fruit and flavor development. So far, 2008 appears to be very promising.

The Heat is On

2008-07-19T03:46:30Z

Well, things have really started to take off in the vineyards. After an unusually cool spring, the heat is on. Bloom in the Willamette Valley completed in most vineyards in a 3 to 7 days. This is the fastest bloom, start to finish, that anyone can remember. We saw temperatures in the last two weeks shoot up into the 80's and 90's. And the next 10 ten days calls for more of the same. This is a welcome arrival as we were 2-3 weeks behind before the "summer" weather arrived. For the present, 2008 is shaping up very nicely. Uniformity in bloom is a wonderful thing!

Tony Rynders on Global Warming

2008-06-10T22:14:28Z

I have had the pleasure of participating in several panel discussions in the last few years. One of the most frequently discussed topics is the concept of global warming. Everyone wants to know how we are dealing with it. With today's temperatures in the 50's and the growing season in the northern Willamette Valley already at least two weeks behind, the idea seems to be off the mark. Perhaps the more appropriate discussion should be about climate change. And this feature is something that constantly demands attention in the world of winemaking.

In order for the growing and making of fine wines to be sustainable, we need to adapt to the climatic differences that are unique to each vintage. The weather patterns in the Pacific Northwest present more challenges than some other regions. The key to success lies in the ability to be proactive throughout the growing season so that the quality of the resulting wines is maximized. All of the work done in the vineyard is directly proportional to the resulting finished wines. The more effort spent early pays the highest dividends.

Turning the Page

2008-05-27T21:55:07Z

Two weeks into the new venture, many opportunities have already presented themselves. I find this to be particularly good news considering the current state of the economy. One thing is for sure, the wine busines marches to its own drummer. And it is alive, well and thriving for the brands that have done a good job of displaying consistency in the quality of their wines.

I am very close to securing a facility to make wine for myself and a few like-minded clients. I think that this will be critical to making the consistently high quality wines that I am striving to make. I believe that my extended presence in OR, WA and CA will provide a depth of experience that is somewhat rare. One thing that I have learned from spending 15 years in the Pacific Northwest is that each vintage is truly unique. The same can be said for some of the more extreme growing areas in northern CA. And I love the challenge of determining the unique characteristics of each growing season, particularly in regions that have big differences from vintage to vintage.

Tony Rynders Starts New Business

2008-05-19T18:13:37Z

Hello and welcome to my blog. After nineteen years of making wine for various wineries from around the world (see About Tony Rynders), I have decided to "put out my own shingle". I am launching a consulting business in which I offer winemaking and vineyard services to a select group of clients. My focus is on the ultra-premium side of grape growing and winemaking. It is an extemely exciting time for me.

I have just finished up a ten year stint as winemaker at Domaine Serene, a top Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer in Oregon's Willamette Valley. It was a great ride and I accomplished a lot. But I have always wanted to do my own thing. And now that time has come!

I invite to join me on my new journey. I would love to hear your comments.