Scope of the infestation is currently unknown, Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance said, adding the Washington Wine Commission expects the percentage of affected vineyards is relatively low.
Phylloxera doesn’t affect the quality of the grapes, but will affect vine vigor over time. Vineyards can remain productive for years with careful management. The only “cure” is to plant vinifera vines grafted to the rootstock of tolerant non-vinifera varieties, but again this can be done over the course of many years.
Washington Winegrowers is circulating a document regarding best practices to help prevent spread. Vineyard managers are taking the direction seriously and implementing sanitation procedures throughout the Walla Walla Valley and state, the Walla Walla Alliance said in a statement.