Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown under regulated deficit irrigation. Notice the smaller canopy and exposed fruiting zone achieved by carefully controlling irrigation from fruit set through harvest. The Washington State wine industry’s ability to use irrigation as a management tool is an advantage that few other premier wine regions have. While most Washington wine grape growers think of irrigation as a way to control canopy growth, it can also greatly influence berry size, fruit flavors, aromas, tannins, and can be used to stylize wines in the vineyard. “We can use irrigation management to achieve whatever canopy size we want, from small […]