Harvest is underway for wine grape growers in the Umpqua Valley, many of whom have been picking their grapes earlier than usual.
Mike and Pam Freed, owners of Freed Estate Winery in Winston, grow 12 acres of Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Merlot grapes along the South Umpqua River. Originally from Hawaii, the Freeds planted their first grapes in 2000, and all Freed Estate wines are made from grapes grown on their own vineyard.
The tasting room opened three years ago and features local paintings, wood work and ceramics, as well as jewelry made by the Freed’s youngest son and manager of the vineyard, Bryan Freed. An art enthusiast, Pam Freed painted the watercolor label on the wine bottles.
This season, the Freeds began picking their Viognier and Tempranillo grapes during the last week of September, and the majority of the grapes are expected to be ready for harvest by mid-October.
Read more at the Roseburg News-Review.
