Grape crop draws raves in Oregon

McMINNVILLE, Ore. — Oregon wine growers say this year's grape harvest is in and it's one of the best, with the makings of good wine and plenty of it.

The exact figures won't be out until the state does a statistical analysis in November. But early indications suggest the total wine-grape harvest could be 15 to 20 percent above normal.

That is a boon for the Oregon wine industry after two tough years.

"Crop sets were normal, and that dry-weather spell did it," said George Hilberry, co-owner of the Chehalem Mountain Vineyard. "Everything ripened beautifully."

At the 150-acre Temperance Hill Vineyard in the Eola Hills, manager Dai Crisp said high quality and quantity don't normally go hand in hand.

"This is a rarity," he said.

Just south of Eugene, at the 270-acre King Estate of Lorane, director of winemaking Bill Kremer estimated the yield at 10 percent above average.

And because it all came in at once, he said, the winery was caught short of space.

"We had to do some juggling," Kremer said. "But across the gamut of fruit, the quality is there. This is a banner year. It's a good thing for Oregon."