2025 Napa Valley Harvest Press Conference: A Vintage Worth Waiting For

In collaboration with The Napa Valley Vintners, The Napa Valley Grapegrowers’ annual Harvest Press Conference delivers one of the most anticipated conversations of the year — a real-time look at how the vintage unfolded across the valley. This season’s discussion reveals a clear theme: a vintage worth waiting for, when patience was rewarded.

Meet the Panelists: this year’s panel brought together some of Napa Valley’s most respected voices in winemaking and viticulture. Their insights paint a vivid picture of how growers and winemakers navigated a year defined by precision, timing, and trust in the vineyard. Moderated by Jonathan Cristaldi, veteran wine journalist who writes for Decanter, Cristaldi & Co., Somm Journal, and Tasting Panel.

​Megan Gunderson
VP of Winemaking, HALL

Maayan Koschitzky
Partner & Director of Winemaking, Atelier Melka
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Ashton Leutner
Director of Viticulture, Continuum Estate

Nate Weis
GM & Senior Winemaker, Beaulieu Vineyard

“Patience was rewarded this year. Moderate alcohols, vibrant acidity — a classic Napa style we haven’t seen in a long time. As those intermittent rain events rolled through, we had to choose: pick early, or hold off. And this year, waiting was everything. Letting the fruit sit, recover, and ripen slowly truly paid off — all the pieces are now coming together into something special.”
- Nate Weis

Together, these panelists reflect the resilience and shared commitment that define our agricultural community, especially in a year where every decision mattered.

Hear directly from the experts who shaped this remarkable season. Their firsthand observations capture the nuance, discipline, and collaboration behind the 2025 harvest. ​As we celebrate this year’s accomplishments, we also honor the people: growers, farmworkers, winemakers, and partners, who ensure Napa Valley continues to thrive. Their dedication is what transforms a challenging year into a vintage worth waiting for.