The last stage in the development of a grape before harvest is veraison, a relatively short period that typically occurs around the end of July or early August in the Willamette Valley and lasts for two to three weeks. Sure enough, veraison is happening in the vineyard right now, right on schedule. The first signs of veraison appeared at our Pfeiffer Vineyard around July 28 and at King Estate around a week later.
What happens during veraison?
Pronounced veh-ray-zun, the French term translates to “the onset of ripening.” Technically it is when cell division in the grape skin ceases and the cell count of the grape is fixed, marking the end of the growth stage and the start of ripening. Most notably and visibly, veraison is when the grapes start to change color.
After fruit set, when the berries form and start to grow, they are all hard and green, regardless of the variety. During veraison, clusters of small green berries start to show their true colors. Varieties such as Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay turn different hues from green to yellow, while Gewürztraminer becomes pinkish and Pinot Gris (literally “little gray pine” in French) turns a shade lighter than the darker, more saturated Pinot Noir (black).
Harvest within sight
How long veraison lasts varies even within the vineyard but typically is around 40 to 50 days, start to finish. For Pfeiffer and King Estate, that means we should complete the process around the week of Sept. 7, after which harvest should soon commence. Duration varies from year to year and is influenced by weather, site and vineyard management practices among other factors, including the genetic characteristics of the variety. Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, for example, need less time to ripen, depending on wine stylistic considerations. Contrast that with Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, which benefit from longer hang time. The longer the fruit hangs, the more sugar content goes up and acid content goes down, allowing flavors to develop and concentrate.
King Estate’s winemaking and vineyard teams keep a close eye on the grapes all through the growing process but especially during veraison, as those crucial decisions about when and where to harvest are made.
