The Vintage of a Lifetime

In 2023, Napa Valley experienced one of the longest growing seasons in a decade or more. With consistent, mild weather throughout the season, above-average crop yields, and extended hang time, 2023 is an exceptional, high-quality, memorable vintage.

Winter and spring rains led to full reservoirs and healthy, saturated soils; ideal conditions as grape growers headed into bud break. The mild, warm summer weather (72-75 degrees F) supported healthy canopy growth through bloom and set. Though vineyards faced mildew pressure, clusters remained loose for good air flow. Relatively cool weather throughout the growing season in tandem with an abundance of sunshine allowed grape skins to ripen slowly and develop maximal dark red color components for red wines.

Harvest kicked off around Labor Day weekend (September 2-4, 2023) for white wine grapes; Cabernet Sauvignon harvest started the end of September / early-October; all picks wrapped up by mid-November. Vintners relished the long harvest season, which provided extended hang time to develop flavors.

For red wines, full ripeness of grape skins and seeds provided the building blocks for a tannic backbone which is the source of resilience for a long-lived wine. Winemakers describe the wines as having freshness, purity and elegance overall.

2023 Harvest Updates

Read the vintage updates from 2023.

Vintage Quotes

“Fruit is showing deep color, complex flavors and aromas and good acidity levels, according to Brain. Yields varied from average-to-heavy in some areas. “I love the complexity of the vintage,” he said. “I think that the sub-AVAs will be quite distinct this year, truly revealing the appellation and soil type.” – Wine Institute

“Looking at the wines, the 2023s show remarkable purity and finesse while at the same time bringing beautiful depth and concentration.” – Jeb Dunnick

“is 2023 the vintage of the century, as the rumours might have it? Overall, the quality in 2023 is very high. After tasting through dozens of barrel samples, it’s clear that 2023 is a vintage where it was likely more challenging to make bad wine than good wine.” – VINFOLIO

“The 2023 vintage is outstanding – and the wines will appeal particularly to those with a classic palate. Given the late and long, cool growing season, many – if not most – of the wines have a distinct Bordelais quality, balancing pure Californian fruit with fresh acidity and elegant, nimble body – with “a sense of weightlessness”. – VINFOLIO

Related Articles

– Napa Valley Vintage Report – Vinfolio

– Cheers! Napa Valley winemakers say 2023 vintage could be best ever – Cornell Barnard, ABC 7 News

– 2023 Napa Valley Vintage: Winemakers Say It’s Superior – Nicole, MacKay, Somm TV

– Napa 2023 might be ‘the vintage of a lifetime’ – Sarah Neish, thedrinksbusiness.com

– California 2023 harvest report – Samantha Cole Johnson, jancisrobinson.com (login required to read article)

– 2023 Growing Season: The Napa Edition – Advanced Viticulture

Vintage Chart