Napa Valley Vintners

The Collective Napa Valley Fine Wines and Experiences Auction is happening now through September 12 online at Sotheby's! Bid on rare wines and unique experiences from some of your favorite #NapaValley wineries, all for the benefit of youth health programs in Napa County. Bid high, and bid often!

What makes certain grapes come in ahead of others? Chris Kenefick, owner and CEO of Kenefick Ranch Winery, gives a little insight into this in our latest #Harvest2024 update. Since all grape vines are in the ground and don’t get planted each spring (like tomatoes, for example), the grapes themselves follow their natural growth cycle each year. And, like the humans who tend them, some are early and some are late. Whites always tend to ripen first and then reds follow, but there are differences within the grape color. As Chris points out, Malbec comes in before Cabernet. Pinot comes in before all of them. This is just one of the many elements that the grape growers and winemakers of #NapaValley have to plan for! Follow along and catch up on the entire #2024vintage at harvestnapa.com.

Last week we caught up with Tom Garrett, winemaker and partner at Napa Valley’s Dakota Shy. Tom took a break from a busy crush pad to update us on Dakota Shy's first grapes for #harvest2024 – beautiful Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Rutherford. Things move fast around here and by the time you read this, that first grape juice will be starting fermentation and on its way to becoming a wonderful #NapaValley wine!

Bidding is now open for the Collective Napa Valley Fine Wine and Experiences Auction, a premier wine auction for collectors and enthusiasts presented by Sotheby's. The auction features rare and exceptional wine offerings—including vertical collections, large format bottles and library vintages—and unique experiences that provide a deep dive into Napa Valley's renowned hospitality and natural beauty. Funds raised through the Fine Wine and Experiences Auction will benefit youth health programs in #NapaValley. Visit cnv.li/finewine to start bidding!

Want to learn more about how the U.S. economy impacts the wine industry? We invite wine industry members to join us and American AgCredit on Tuesday, October 29 at The CIA at Copia for a Winery Financial Roundtable. American AgCredit's Terrain Analysts will examine U.S. macroeconomics, wine industry #consumertrends and #vineyard values. Analysts will discuss the impacts of interest rates, rising production costs, labor challenges in the #agricultureindustry and a market analysis overview. During a C-suite panel discussion, you'll hear how your peers in the wine industry are approaching their own budget forecasting and financial positions. Tuesday, October 29 CIA at Copia - 500 1st St, Napa 9 a.m. to Noon, lunch to follow This program is complimentary for #NapaValley #wineindustry professionals due to the generous support and partnership of NVV strategic partner American AgCredit, who is collaborating on content and providing lunch. RSVP at the link below.

We met up with Richard Salvestrin of Salvestrin Estate Vineyard and Winery to see what the next few weeks of grape growing will bring for the #2024vintage. This is the time of year when winemakers, grape growers and enologists start to plan for grapes coming into the winery. They walk the vineyards and test along the way so they know when it’s go time! Watch the full video and follow all #harvest2024 updates at harvestnapa.com.

Do you know about the Napa Valley Vine Trail? Picture a 47-mile bike trail winding its way through some of the most scenic settings in California. Imagine visiting Napa Valley, breathing in this treasure of natural beauty and vineyard views, slowing time to truly appreciate how precious this protected agricultural land is, cycling or walking at a terroir level while connecting with Napa Valley in a uniquely safe, healthy way. Learn more about the Vine Trail in our article "A Big Beautiful Idea: The Vine Trail" https://bit.ly/3YN5seG And be sure to add it to your "must-do" list on your next visit to #NapaValley!

Is #harvest2024 in #NapaValley early or late this year? There is no "normal" timing for harvest... it all depends on one key factor that changes from year to year. You guessed it... weather. How much winter rain did we get? When was bud break? How many hours of sun did the grapes see? Take a look at the dates for the first pick in Napa Valley over the past five years, and learn more about past vintages at harvestnapa.com.

It's official: the first picks of #Harvest2024 in Napa Valley have begun! This year, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (destined for sparkling wine) and Sauvignon Blanc (picked for a vibrant, crisp style of white wine) were picked on the first two days of harvest in #NapaValley. "We want to pick when the acids are still bright and lively, and the sugars aren’t too high. We look for a balance between the sugars and acids in the grapes. We like to see nice flavor development with bright, juicy acidity, the hallmark of a well-made sparkling wine," said Tamra Lotz, winemaker for Mumm Napa Winery. Winemakers report that this year's start to harvest is about average compared to the first day of harvest for other vintages. Ashely Egelhoff, winemaker at Honig Vineyard & Winery is planning her first Sauvignon Blanc pick on or around August 13. "Looking at our historical growing degree days, we match up closely with warmer years. Right now, our best estimate on reds is shortly after Labor Day." Follow #Harvest2024 to stay up to date on the #2024Vintage!

Vine growth is booming, veraison is occurring around the valley and we're even starting to see some wineries get their crush pads ready. You know what that means: #Harvest2024 is coming! Most recently, we went to Yountville to check on the #2024vintage progress with Taylor Abudi, viticulturist at Markham Vineyards in #NapaValley. It looks like we have a break in the summer heat for a while which is really good for flavor, ripeness and tannin development over the next few weeks. If you haven't already, catch up with the 2024 season at harvestnapa.com!