From the Oregon Wine Board:

2010 Preliminary Oregon Harvest Report

Harvest later than normal, but a warming trend in late September and early October advances ripening, with winemakers and growers thrilled with the potential for a balanced vintage with lower alcohols

October 13, 2010 — Oregon experienced a relatively dry and warm winter highlighted by the warmest January and February on record in most locations. Spring arrived with very cool conditions statewide from April through June, but the July through September timeframe and early October temperatures have been near normal to slightly cooler than normal statewide with fewer than normal heat spikes, according to Dr. Greg Jones, a climatologist at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon who monitors conditions throughout the state’s winegrowing regions.

Statewide, a relatively dry winter was followed by a relatively wet spring. But September through early October shows close to normal rainfall totals.

As of October 11th, the 2010 vintage cumulative growing degree day (GrDD) values for four sites throughout the state are tracking slightly down from 2008, one of the best vintages Oregon has experienced.

The result is a harvest on average two to three weeks behind schedule, but with warm conditions in early October and a forecast for warm, relatively dry days ahead, growers and winemakers patiently await further indications of ripeness before making the call to harvest.

Winemakers and growers report lower yields, small berries and full flavor development at lower brix levels – all signs pointing toward the potential for high quality wines with lower alcohols.

Statewide, harvest is expected to be in force in the Willamette Valley in the next week or so. In Southern Oregon, ripening whites are being harvested with Pinot noir coming in as well, but warm climate varietals are expected to be harvested in the next ten days. In Eastern Oregon, reports of Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay are in, with other varieties soon to follow. In the Columbia Gorge, Pinot noir will be coming off the vine in the next week with other varieties to follow. The bulk of harvest activity for all regions is likely to continue throughout the month of October.

“Late can often translate to great,” said Sam Tannahill, interim executive director of the Oregon Wine Board and Director of Viticulture and Winemaking for A to Z Wineworks/REX HILL. “The timing of this year’s harvest is not particularly unusual for our industry and we are a wine region that thrives on farming on the edge.    All signs are pointing to the potential for great wines with balance, elegance and finesse.”

The current forecast by the Climate Prediction Center calls for a high pressure ridge position that is projected to bring warmer than normal temperatures and generally dry conditions through the month of October, allowing growers to harvest in very good conditions, according to Jones.