“Our winemaking community is full of creative people who can adapt when the weather, power availability or other environmental changes take place.” 

— Pam Starr, Crocker & Starr, winemaker and owner

While much of Napa Valley is currently experiencing significant power outages, we are ready to power on through harvest.

With last week’s cooler weather and mild temperatures forecasted for the rest of this week, harvest is progressing at a steady rate, allowing vintners to process their fruit at a moderate pace. Cool, sunny days such as those predicted in the coming week are ideal for letting red wine grapes hang a bit longer to develop additional flavors.

Harvest is largely a manual effort in Napa Valley, requiring little to no electrical grid power. The majority of wineries here are small, family owned operations that can accommodate fluctuations in the harvesting rhythm and most have some sort of alternative power source for sorting, heating, cooling.

Additionally, our winemakers are well equipped to use traditional winemaking methods when needed (manual pump-overs, water for chilling, propane for heating, etc). So despite the widely reported PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff throughout the Bay Area and Northern California, Napa Valley continues on in the pursuit and cultivation of another great vintage.