Harvest may be the most exciting time of the year in wine country, but long before the first grape is picked, the real work is already underway.
Late summer is one of our favorite seasons in the vineyard. The vines are full, the clusters are changing, and every walk through the rows reveals something new. While it may look peaceful from the outside, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to prepare for harvest.
It Starts with Veraison
One of the biggest milestones before harvest is veraison, the moment when grapes begin to ripen.
If you’ve ever visited a vineyard in August, you may notice the fruit changing color. Green grapes begin turning deep purple for red varieties, while white grapes become softer and more translucent. It’s nature’s way of signaling that the grapes have entered the final stage of development.
Veraison doesn’t happen overnight. Each vineyard block ripens at its own pace, which is why we spend so much time walking the vines and paying close attention to every detail.
Every Day Matters
As harvest gets closer, our vineyard team is out among the vines every day.
We monitor how the grapes are progressing, tasting fruit directly from the vine and observing how flavors, acidity, and sugars develop over time. The goal isn’t simply to pick ripe grapes. It’s to find the right balance that allows each variety to express its character.
Every decision made during this stage has an impact on the wines you’ll eventually enjoy.
Listening to the Vineyard
One of the most important lessons in winemaking is patience.
Nature doesn’t follow a calendar, and every growing season is different. Weather, sunlight, and temperature all influence how quickly grapes mature. Instead of rushing the process, we let the vineyard guide us.
Some blocks may be ready before others, even when they’re planted just a short distance apart. That’s part of what makes every vintage unique.
The Calm Before the Harvest
There’s a special feeling in the vineyard during late summer.
The excitement is building, but the pace is still unhurried. The vines are healthy, the fruit is nearly ready, and each day brings us one step closer to harvest.
It’s a season that reminds us why we love what we do. Every walk through the vineyard is a chance to reconnect with the land and appreciate the work that goes into every bottle.
Experience the Season for Yourself
If you’re planning a visit to Napa Valley, the weeks before harvest are a wonderful time to experience wine country.
The vineyard is full of color, the weather is beautiful, and there’s a sense of anticipation in the air. Whether you’re joining us for a tasting or simply enjoying the views from our Calistoga estate vineyard, you’ll have the opportunity to see this remarkable stage of the growing season firsthand.
By the time harvest arrives, months of care, observation, and patience have already shaped the vintage.
And for us, that’s where every great bottle truly begins.
