If you re a fan of California wine, we ve got some insider information about some of the best wine being created this year. Here s the latest info from the California winemakers themselves on the 2016 harvest: Napa Valley, Tom Eddy, Tom Eddy Wines: Photo courtesy of Tom Eddy Wines Some Champagne producers have started. We will begin with small lots in three weeks. Should hopefully be an average yield and average time of harvest. Paso Robles, Tom Myers, Castoro Cellars:
Castoro winemaker Tom Myers and Assistant winemaker Sherrie Holzer. Photo courtesy of Castoro Cellars. It has been a warm year here. Our degree day summation (a measure of growing conditions based on temperature) is running neck and neck with other warm years we have had. Many of the warm years have been amongst the best vintages of the last decade, so I am optimistic on quality. No denying that we are still in a drought but with supplemental irrigation the vines have looked good all year. Yields look about average, which is better than last year. Sugars are climbing and we will start picking next week for sure! It will be perfect if the temps stay warm but not excessive. Cheers! Santa Cruz: John Bargetto, Bargetto Winery:
Photo courtesy of Bargetto Winery Things look good at our estate Regan Vineyard. We will start with Pinot Grigio in early September. Crop is generous on Chardonnay and LA VITA s 3 varietals (Bargetto s flagship estate red Ed.) Harvest should be a bit early this year, with Pinot Noir starting in mid September. Rain this winter has been good for the land and vines, but demanding, as extra hoeing work required. Pinot Noir looks to be an average crop, and we know we are getting close to harvest, as birds are moving in! FYI We got 94 points on Reserve Regan Pinot Noir, 2014 :)
Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley, Julie Pedroncelli St. John, Pedroncelli Winery: Grapes nearly ready for harvest at Pedroncelli Winery. We predict picking by August 22, which is considered an on-time start to harvest for our Sauvignon Blanc, considering the changes in harvest starts over the last few years; Pinot Noir and Zinfandel will be next around Labor Day weekend. Yields are better than 2015, which saw 25% less crop. This year is below average considering a normal harvest year. Overall, the expectation is that we ll have great quality in the fruit, balanced and very little shatter in the bunches things are filled in and veraision was even and ripening will follow as long as the weather stays even. Santa Barbara, Steve Dragonette, Dragonette Cellars:
We have had an excellent growing season in 2016. The weather has been largely consistent, with mostly warm (but not too hot) days and cool nights. Yields are on the low side in general, but better than 2015. Quality appears high. We have been monitoring the fruit in all of our vineyards and we will likely commence picking Sauvignon Blanc by the end of the week of August 8, about a week or 10 days later than 2015. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are probably another couple of weeks out. The Syrah and Grenache are mid-verasion, but look exceptionally good. Cuyama Valley, Larry Hogan, Sagebrush Annie s:
Karin and Larry Hogan First let me say the crop size appears to be normal, in contrast to last year s which was about 35% of normal. Next, our vineyards are from 3000 feet to 3400 feet above sea level which would account for later bud break and later harvest, every other thing being equal that is. My interest being Cabernet Sauvignon, will result in a later harvest as they bud break later, than other varietals. We are into veraison (green berries turning black, softening and sweetening). I believe we will have full veraison in a week to ten days. From then until harvest is usually six weeks to two months, depending on the temperatures and watering practices. Personally I prefer extended maturation as I believe we get greater fruit flavor and balance in our wine. This is the time of year that the birds and coyotes make a concerted effort to help us with the harvest. We are aided by a Falconer and as long as he is here, with his birds, the other native birds go on an extended vacation. Join one of our five wine club levels today and get handcrafted wine from California s small, family wineries sent right to your door. Learn the 5 tell-tale signs that grapes are ready for
harvest. 2016 Harvest Updates From California Wine Country