RIDGEFIELD, WA (KPTV) -
While many locals are seeking shade and air conditioning as the temperature hits 100 degrees, those working in wine are loving it.
Hot temperatures mean grapes are ripening on the vine in what promises to be a bumper crop, according to some local growers.
While there is the short term problem of shipping - soaring temperatures can literally mean corks fly out of bottles - the triple digits will be well worth it a year or two from now if the rest of summer stays dry.
"You're at the mercy of Mother Nature," said Greg Weber of Confluence Vineyards and Winery in Ridgefield. "This year, fortunately, it's going to be great - a warm fall and dry."
While the soil in Ridgefield, just north of Vancouver, WA, is great for grapes, cool summers and lots of rain are not.
"You can't make great wine from mediocre of not high quality fruit. The better the fruit, the better the wine," Weber said.
The sun causes grapes to ripen - as they turn from green to purple, the amount of acid inside goes down and the sugar content rises, as does the flavor.
"What this year is going to provide us with is the tools to make beautiful wines," said Gary Gouger of Gouger Cellars.
Gouger says he will be getting in touch with local growers soon to buy grapes for his small winery in Vancouver. The past few summers have been too cool, according to Gouger. Growers had to sacrifice much of their crops in the hopes a few grapes would be able to ripen.
Lots of sun doesn't just mean great wine, but also plenty of it.
"The flavor profile is going up," said Gouger of the Clark County grapes. "They're going to be just beautiful flavors."
From the boutique grower to the boutique winery, they hope this season's bounty will put Clark County wineries on the map.
"2012 is going to be a phenomenal year," Weber said.
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