One year ago, Napa Valley’s wineries were already gearing up to begin picking the first grapes of the new vintage. Thanks to a colder, wetter winter, it looks like our 2017 harvest won’t get underway for a couple more weeks. Right now, winemakers are walking their vineyards, keeping a keen eye on what’s happening. Workers are strategically managing vine canopies to ensure optimal sun exposure while grapes are beginning veraison, the process of slowly changing color and transitioning to the ripeness and softness that says “pick me!” We call harvest Our Championship Season because it is the culmination of 12 months of rigorous work and concentrated effort. It’s the time when the wine community puts in more hours than any other during the year. It’s also the time when we come together with the common goal of producing the best possible wines that deserve to say Napa Valley on the label. It’s almost harvest time and we hope you’ll join us for updates, photos, videos, music and the stories of just what’s behind every bottle of Napa Valley wine.