Harvest 2025 begins in Napa Valley
Throughout Napa Valley, white wine grapes have begun making their way to crush pads, marking the start of harvest 2025.
The outlook, so far, is good, winemakers report.
Aaron Pott, winemaker at Blackbird Vineyards and Pott Wines, said, “The cool summer has been the hallmark of the vintage. The cold Pacific Ocean has brought the marine layer inland and ‘Carl the Fog’ has dominated the valley the entire summer. It makes it possible to grow excellent wine in Napa Valley. This year, its influence has been strong. It is the coldest summer since 1999, so we will party like it is 1999.”
On Aug. 8, Mumm Napa harvested Pinot Noir from Yountville, and Round Pond Estate brought in Chardonnay grapes from Rutherford, both destined for sparkling wine.
Five tons of Pinot Noir from Truchard Vineyard in Carneros, picked on Aug. 11, are now on their way to become rosé by The Vice’s Malek Amrani. “The site itself is early ripening. As well, demand for lower-alcohol wines has surged in recent years. My approach is to start in the vineyard, harvesting earlier to craft a naturally low alcohol Rosé of Pinot Noir that’s crisp and pure,” Amrani said.
Matt Reid, winemaker at Benessere Vineyards, harvested Pinot Grigio in St. Helena on Aug. 12.
“Pinot Grigio does tend to ripen early, but this is the first time it’s come in before Aug. 15,” Reid said. “I sampled it last week and knew it was time to get going. The grapes/juice are just where I want them. It tastes amazing.”
Sauvignon Blanc from Rutherford, Pope Valley and Gordon Valley was also harvested the week of Aug. 11 at Inglenook, Honig Vineyards & Winery and St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery. Next week, Blackbird Vineyards plans to harvest 10 tons of Sauvignon Blanc from Rutherford. “Sauvignon Blanc marks the start of our harvest every year. Known for its early ripening, this vineyard is always our first pick, perfectly in step with our preference for an earlier harvest,” said Jonathan Tyer, winemaker at Inglenook.
Reid is happy with the way the vintage is shaping up. “The 2025 vintage has been all I could ask for. Ample rainfall before budbreak followed by great weather at budbreak and bloom, with a mild summer means we have even ripening of a good-size crop.”
Tyer added, “With slower veraison and one of the cooler summers in recent memory, the vines have enjoyed a graceful, unhurried ripening—different from 2023 yet promising a wonderfully long growing season.” Of the other, of the more than 30 white wines being grown in Napa Valley, Amrani said, “Viognier will come in by mid-September and Chardonnay right after it.”
As for red wine grapes, Pott said, “We should start with early ripening reds from my Lagier Meredith Estate towards the third week of September,” which aligns with other winemakers’ predictions as well. “We couldn’t be more excited for how the 2025 vintage is taking shape. We’ve had ideal growing conditions this summer, with warm days and cool nights setting our vineyard and grapes up for success,” said Jeffrey Plant, winemaker at Round Pond Estate. “We’re hoping that Napa Valley will have three amazing vintages back to back to back. Fingers crossed!”
