2020 Torii Mor Willamette Chardonnay

The 2020 growing season started with an early to average budbreak before mid-April, following a mild and dry November-December, then a wet January early February with a single snow event (1/2 inch). Mid to end of February was warmer than average, by early April reaching the 70’s. In early May the heat was turned on with low 80s, reaching the 90s by the end of the month. June resets the clock with 2 cold and showery weeks, when bloom started, leading to poor pollination resulting in a lot of small berries and very loose clusters, the second part of June was in the 80’s. The first 2 weeks of July cooled down again before reaching the 80’s and 90’s. Summer was very dry with a handful of days in the 100’s. Summer forest fires raged in Southern Washington, Western and Southern Oregon, Northern California, including the Chehalem Mountains, results of a major wind storm on labor day that spread fires everywhere, including spot fires in the Dundee Hills, home of Torii Mor Winery. The Northern Willamette Valley filled with heavy smoke for weeks at a time. The grape yields were on the low side, with disease free, healthy fruit. Torii Mor’s harvest started on September 10th and finished on October 16th.