NEWBERG Ore. (KPTV) - As the heat wave continues in the Portland metro area this weekend, a Newberg winery is taking an extra step to help its grapes survive the summer. Hazelfern Cellars sprayed its grapes with clay to protect the fruit from the sun.
“It’s been a hot few days here in the Willamette Valley,” said Bryan Laing, co-owner and winemaker at Hazelfern Cellars.
A sunny day spent at a local winery can be a great way to enjoy the last few weeks of summer in the Willamette Valley. But just like too much wine can be a bad thing, so can too much sun. And the heatwave currently blanketing the metro area is proving to be a hazard for the grapes at wineries like Hazelfern Cellars.
“The grapes are now especially susceptible to sunburn and ‘raisining,’ and that’s because they’ve just cha