The cool eastern Pacific water temperatures during the winter months of 2008 (two to seven degrees below normal) resulted in below average temperatures and above average precipitation in Oregon. Mount Hood set a snowfall record with 625 inches.
This La Nina weather pattern remained in place during the month of April with the resulting “bud break” in northern Willamette vineyards being two to three weeks late.

May began like April, cool and wet. But heat became more prevalent by mid-month with the Portland airport recording several high temperature records. The vines responded well to these temperatures with very good growth, thus helping to overcome the shortfall in “degree days” seen in April. The last half of May saw average temperatures and average rainfall, with the monthly average temperature ending 1.8 degrees above normal.

The first 11 days of June averaged 10 degrees below normal!!! The National Weather Service stated that La Nina was still in control of the eastern Pacific - and thus in control of Pacific Northwest weather. The Cascades and Blue Mountains of Oregon received 8 and 10 inches of snow respectively on June 10th!

High pressure finally arrived on June 12th, with sunshine and average temperatures. This “normal” weather pattern held until June 26th, when temperatures moved into the low 90s (helping again to reduce the deficiency in “degree days” in the northern Willamette Valley).

The La Nina influence normally subsides by 1 July (with a 70 percent chance that the remaining summer months will be warmer than normal). Mother Nature seems to like the “long run” averages. Except July turned out to be slightly below normal in terms of temperature! The northern Willamette Valley did experience lots of sunny day though with no rain.

August turned out to be very typical – sunny, warm, with several 100 degree days, but with two rain episodes, each delivering approximately a half inch of moisture. These two rain events were beneficial as the summer was at this point completely rain free (and thus the vines needed a drink). These rain episodes cooled the temperatures several days prior to each rain event and for several days following the rain event. Thus August turned out to be “average” in terms of temperature. As of August 25th there were approximately 1,610 “degree days” accumulated (Domaine Coteau needs 2,250 for full vine maturity).

September (the month that many times either makes or breaks the vintage here in Oregon – and in Burgundy) began with sunshine. And sunshine continued throughout the month along with above average temperatures and essentially no rain! A beautiful month to ripen the fruit (and ripen it did). A sugar measurement on the 14th of September indicated a brix of 20 (from the 114 clone of Pinot Noir). By mid-month winemakers were beginning to compare 2008 with the vintage of 1999 (a late but wonderful vintage). 

It normally takes five to seven days to gain an additional degree of sugar (i.e., brix) in the northern Willamette Valley, and thus as of September 14th a projected harvest date of around October 3rd was penciled into the October calendar.
As of 14 September “degree days” totaled 1,950 (right on target for years 1999, 2000, and 2001).

On October 1st the degree days totaled to 2,150 with the brix measuring 23. The fruit was judged (e.g., taste of the berry, softness of skins, browning of seeds, etc.) to be seven days from being fully ripe.

Thus the October 3rd picking date was extended to October 9th (winemakers also like to see total degree days of at least 2,250 prior to harvest).

On October 3rd an unexpected rain event occurred that set back the picking schedule. The northern Willamette Valley received 0.71 inches of rain on October 3rd through October 6th. Thus the picking schedule was moved from October 9th to October 12th.

Harvest began on October 12th under clear and sunny skies and was complete on October 22nd (all days being rain-free).
The fruit was picked in perfect condition with brix’s averaging 23 to 24 and pH’s averaging 3.2. Perfect harvest numbers for Domaine Coteau.

The yield from the Domaine’s vineyard parcels (i.e., quantity) was approximately 20 percent below the five year average, but with the quality of the incoming fruit -  smiles were on everyone’s faces.

Domaine Coteau
By appointment
Tel No. 503 697-7319