Winter has come and gone and the miracle of bud break has once again occurred. It is so rewarding to see baby shoots emerging with tiny clusters following the emerging leaves. After all the work of pruning the vines it just doesn’t get old watching the vineyard come alive. Bud break happened on March 25 a good two weeks earlier than average. The next major developmental date of note is bloom which occurred on June 9 in 2014 if we are to draw comparisons to this year. I will stop short of saying we will have an early and glorious harvest this year since this is farming and I don’t wish to temp the wrath of nature, but things do look good.

Lest I forget, FHV was pleased to have been the focus of a tasting of wines made from our fruit at the Ace Hotel in Portland on March 12. There was an afternoon session before media, distributors, and restaurant people numbering about 35. Dan and Helen described the development of the vineyard and Jesse Lange, Ken Wright, and Mark Vlossak presented approximately 15 vineyard designate wines. Ken also made a nice presentation on the soils of the Willamette Valley. In the evening there was a general tasting where about 100 of the consuming public met the Dusschee’s, and winemakers from almost all of the producers while tasting some terrific wines. We were thrilled and honored at the experience and were once again reminded of our good fortune to be associated with such good winemakers/people and the people who enjoy fine wine.

I hope you all enjoy your summer as we will in anticipation of vintage 2015.