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CLEAR Temp: 60 °F Wind: S at 4 mph Friday, October 11, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 26, 2002 Oscar Alana tops off a bin of merlot grapes from the Griffin Creek Vineyard during Wednesday�s harvest. Click the photo to see a larger (44k) version. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell A glut of grapes Southern Oregon’s small wineries will absorb much, but not all, of the surplus By GREG STILES Mail Tribune Southern Oregon’s ability to grow specialty wine grapes will help growers weather a looming storm — the wine market has more grapes than it can ferment. While some Southern Oregon grape growers might be hard-pressed to find buyers for their coming harvest, the 20 wineries in Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties will absorb much of the production. The quality of the region’s grapes gives vintners a leg up on finding buyers — even at a late date in a crowded market. Eric Weisinger, president of the Southern Oregon Winery Association, says the continued warm weather has not only created a bountiful harvest but one with high sugar content for the region’s premium wines. Because area wineries are quite small, compared to expansive operations, demand has often exceeded supply. To that end, Weisinger’s has upped its purchase from neighboring vineyards in order to produce more wine. "We’ve wanted to increase production the last couple of years and this year we’ve been able to do it in part because of the quantity available," says Weisinger. "Grape prices have fallen somewhat, and that’s provided an opportunity to purchase more grapes than in years past." In the past, Weisinger’s has produced between 2,400 and 2,500 cases a year. The plan for this season is 4,000. "We really aren’t worried about the pressure of California wine," Weisinger says, "because of our size and our market. We produce a premium quality wine in the 20- to 30-dollar range, and we currently sell out of everything we make." Instead of buying from four or five other growers, the Ashland winery will buy from six or seven this year. Duane Bowman planted merlot and cabernet franc grapes back in 1991 and began harvesting from his three acres off Little Applegate Road in 1996. He used to sell to Valley View Vineyard outside Ruch, but last fall Bowman put his harvest into his own barrels for the first time at Crooked Hill Vineyard and Winery. "I came here with the intention of making wine," Bowman says. "But I couldn’t get the type and quality I needed, so I had to do it myself." Some call this the 11th hour for growers who don’t have contracts for their grapes, and Bowman figures some vintners will suffer. "Without having the winery production capacity to take all the plantings that have been done (in recent years), either they aren’t going to find a home or prices are going to go down," Bowman predicts. "Whatever the case is, it’s not a pleasant situation for growers and — in some instances — it’s not pleasant for wineries either." Growers with long-term associations are in good stead, while others scramble. The saving grace is quality and variety. "I won’t say there is not an excess of grapes, but in Southern Oregon we have varieties that other areas don’t grow as well, so more of our crop is finding a place," says Laura Lotspeich of Talent, past president of the Oregon Wine Growers Association. She long ago hooked up with Foris Vineyards in the Illinois Valley. "It’s coming down to the wire," she says, "but if (growers) aren’t selling all of their crop, at least a good part is finding a home, which is reassuring." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S