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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 8, 2005 RoxyAnn Winery winemaker Gus Janeway hauls a freshly picked load of Pinot Gris grapes to the crusher Friday. The harvest in warmer spots in Jackson County could wrap up by next week. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Wineries examine harvest Time on the vine, cooler weather combine for a more ‘balanced’ wine By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune Cooler weather and a late harvest could mean an overall superb vintage for Southern Oregon, local winemakers say. At vineyards in warmer spots in Jackson County, harvest began at the end of September, about three weeks later than last year, giving the fruit more time to develop flavor. It could wrap up as early as next week. "With cool vineyard sites, winemakers are a little nervous because of the cool weather," said Lee Mankin, president of the Rogue Valley Wine Growers Association. "Their fruit might not get ripe, but the quality at the hot sites is going to be fantastic. It’s going to be one of the best years." The majority of the 125 vineyards in the Rogue Valley are considered "hot sites," experiencing higher temperatures than those located in cooler areas at higher elevations, said Mankin, who owns Carpenter Hill Vineyard southeast of Jacksonville. Advertisement RoxyAnn Winery, located in a warm span of east Medford, is about one-fourth of the way through its harvest. The winery began harvesting more than three weeks later than last year, allowing the grapes more time to mature on the vine. The extra time allows sugars to slowly accumulate in the grapes, while the cooler weather adds acidity, key to the longevity of the wine. "It gives you a more complex, balanced wine," said Michael Donovan, director of marketing for RoxyAnn. "The fruit flavors will be very forward." The vintage is expected to contrast with the vintages of 2003 and 2004, when short, intense heat yielded wines that were generally high in alcohol content and flavor but lacking in longevity. "If the fruit dissipates, what you taste is alcohol," Donovan said. Winemakers from vineyards in cooler locations in the county, such as Weisinger’s of Ashland Vineyard and Winery, worry cool weather could mean grapes won’t sweeten. They said they’re hoping the next week will bring warmer temperatures. "Without sugar quality, the wine would not be good," Mankin said. Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4496 or e-mail Wineries examine harvest ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Website Templates www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Helzberg Diamonds Distance Education Computer Security Casino Gambling Sites Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Memory Foam Mattress Diamonds Online Poker Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations w2 forms Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Online Casino News Rogue Valley Blogs Natto Kinase Nattokinase Advertisement s