This week, fall officially arrived in Napa Valley – and it wasn’t just the calendar telling us we’re heading into a different time of the year. The grape harvest is reaching its peak and many vintners and growers have now passed the halfway mark for bringing in the 2014 Napa Valley wine grape crop. Mother Nature also brought us a taste of autumn weather in the form of a little light rain and cooler temperatures, which will slow the process ever so slightly before picking begins again in earnest as we reach the final days of September and for many, the final days of this year’s harvest.

Vintners and growers continue to comment on the early, abundant and high-quality nature of this year’s crop. Plans are underway for Thanksgiving celebrations that most in the wine industry don’t get to enjoy because it’s normally such a busy time – looks like we may have the opportunity to give thanks for some time off around the holidays this year…a welcome blessing.

 

Rain? What rain? Canopies are open and the fruit is in good enough condition to carry through likely without a problem.

Pat Stotesbery, Ladera Vineyards