the icy cold winters of Washington's wine country start shortly after harvest has ended. In the period immediatly before the first hard frost, Botryits or 'noble rot' can set in, shrivelling the grapes and yeilding nectars that can be akin to a fine Sauternes or Auslese, depeding on the grape being used. In some situations, the frost comes early resulting in rare 'ice wines' from not only grapes, but sometimes apples as well. Port style wines made from both tradtional table wine grapes and specific Portuguese varieties can also be found in some years.