Inside of two hours last Saturday, Pam and Dennis Dundas plus a flock of friends picked 3,700 pounds of grapes -- and not just any old fruit. These are the luscious Madeleine Angevine varietal, a German grape with a French name and the spine to thrive on the North Olympic Peninsula, of all places.

Pioneered Syrah and single-vineyard wines in the state

WSU consolidates plantings for better control; other Northwest institutions also hope to grow

Forty wine buyers from all over the United States are in Washington this week.

One of the most influential people in the history of the Washington wine industry, passed away Monday after a lengthy illness. Lake, believed to be 65, collapsed Monday at his home in Issaquah, Wash., and could not be revived.

Unsold inventory and a public reluctance to continue purchasing premium wines could lead to problems for Oregon vintners.

Stepping up to a conveyor belt carrying grape clusters to a de-stemmer, Anna Matzinger quickly grabs three bunches out of the 50 or so heading up the line and, from them, plucks three green grapes.

B.C. Group considers bottle-washing co-op for economic, environmental benefits

Today, if you look at the Southern Oregon Winery Association Web site, sorwa.org, you see more than 50 listed. And I can think of several others that aren't on that list. Subtract those in Douglas County, and I come up with a total of 40 in the Jackson-Josephine counties area. Many of those did not exist prior to the year 2000.

Across the region winemakers are increasingly courting rockers, artists and movie stars to help market premium wines. In the down economy, they hope a little rub of star dust will add some cache to the fermented juice.

Seven Yakima wineries and wine tasting rooms have teamed with a majority of restaurants in the city's refurbished downtown to encourage diners to "bring their own."

Urban wineries and retailers pair with eateries to build business

but report that Spotted Wing Drosophila has been found in Oregon wine grapes is premature.

The partners have quietly worked on this project since establishing a joint venture in 2005.

"It's the most volital season I've ever seen since I've been growing grapes here, its always a challenge because of the Mountain Valley weather," explains wine maker, Andy Sponseller.

Harvest has officially started in all regions, with the bulk of activity in the Willamette Valley expected to begin the end of this week and into the next few weeks for all varieties, including Pinot noir.

This is turning out to be a vintage year for late-summer sunshine, and that could be just what it takes to make a vintage year for wine. Wine grapes up and down the Willamette Valley are basking in the sunny weather as vineyard owners watch anxiously.

K Vintners' Charles Smith Brings Fresh New Face, Bold Ideas to Wine Scene

Lane County requires permits; B.C. and Washington wineries enjoy greater freedom

A company that makes wine bottles has shut down its plant at the Port of Kalama. Port spokeswoman Mindi Lindquist says only a few of the 100 workers are staying on a few days following Sunday's shutdown to help with the closure.