Verasion is Underway
Warm weather in early March encouraged the vines to wake up early and begin the growing season. Then April and May brought cooler temperatures and significant rainfall during bloom, leading to a lighter crop than we had originally anticipated, a story shared by many vineyards across Napa Valley this year.
The good news is that an earlier start to the season and a lighter crop often allow the fruit to ripen evenly and may even bring harvest a bit earlier than usual.
We’re now about 25% through veraison. Our vineyard crews are finishing a final suckering pass and strategically removing leaves to create healthy airflow around the clusters while providing enough canopy to protect the fruit from direct sun and any late-season heat spikes.
From here, we’ll let veraison run its course before turning our full attention to what matters most: tasting the fruit and tracking its maturity as harvest draws closer.
