Harvest time in Napa Valley is a season unto itself. It rolls around every year and it’s all hands on deck (in the vineyard, crush pad and cellar) for several months. So, like most annual events, traditions have evolved that mark this exhilarating, exhausting time of year. Here are a few.
Toasting to and Blessing of the Grapes
It’s here. Harvest. Starting it off are celebrations of all the hard work and pruning and planning and tending of the vines throughout the long growing season.
Harvest Style: Down and Dirty
Annual harvest (“crush”) t-shirts are a tradition for many wineries around Napa Valley. Each year the Napa Valley Vintners creates a new one for the people who make it all happen.
Oscar. Makes wine. Cultivates excellence. #NapaHarvest pic.twitter.com/EahgEk0CQJ
— Castello di Amorosa (@TheCastello) August 29, 2015
And then there’s the harvest fall fashion look book….
Harvest fashion: denim, work boots, walkie talkies. Check. #NapaHarvest, week 2. Happy #LaborDay! pic.twitter.com/RfO77MhmUM
— Nickel & Nickel (@NickelandNickel) September 7, 2015
On the Run and at the Table: Harvest Meals
At Conn Creek Winery during harvest season, the crew hosts a friendly competition to cook the best Thursday lunch. The crew splits into teams and past menus have ranged from deep fried turkey to bisteca milanesa to ceviche to jambalaya to an Argentine asado (cooking skills is an interview question for harvest interns!).
After an early morning pick or a long day at the winery, the Clark family and staff from Amizetta Winery hit up the family’s favorite taqueria (Azteca in St. Helena) to grab a burrito (and a cold cerveza, afternoon appropriate).
Our Canine Companions
With the many long hours away from home, many of Napa Valley’s canine companions become part of the harvest scene. Thanks for keeping us company!
Cooper is out in the vineyards today with a Go Pro catching the sites and sounds of #NapaHarvest 2015! pic.twitter.com/cjpM9WGLzT
— Paraduxx (@paraduxxwine) September 7, 2015
