2018 Harvest
Fieldnotes
10/10/2018 — A brief but welcomed period of rain gave harvest crews a much-needed breather, allowing time to catch up on work in the cellar before the next round of picking. While some producers are still waiting to bring in Cabernet Sauvignon, many are reporting that the majority of their fruit will be hitting crush pads in the next few weeks. The crisp fall mornings and sunny days are allowing for optimum ripening, and the winemaking community couldn’t be happier. While everyone is at different stages of harvest all can agree that yields are higher than anticipated and quality of the 2018 vintage has been exceptional thus far.
View photos & previous updates
All About Harvest
What does it take to bring home a perfect wine grape? View photos, videos and stories about the traditions, heroes and stages behind Napa Valley’s annual harvest.
Stages of Harvest
There are many factors that determine when grapes are harvested. Find out when grape varieties are generally picked in the Napa Valley and why.
From Vine to Wine
From bud break to bottling, learn what it takes for a grape to become wine that lives up to Napa Valley’s reputation for quality.
How Cabernet Sauvignon is Made
Go from vineyard to glass and learn how Napa Valley’s most widely grown grape variety becomes wine.
How Chardonnay is Made
Chardonnay is probably the most well-known white wine grape. It originated in the Burgundy region of France, but it is grown all over the world.