On October 4, 2024, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers are proud to participate in Leadership Napa Valley’s Ag Day, an annual event highlighting Napa Valley's agricultural sector. Leadership Napa Valley (LNV) is a premier leadership development program designed to inspire, connect, and cultivate diverse individuals committed to making a positive impact in the Napa Valley community. Ag Day is an integral part of this program, providing participants with an in-depth look at the region's agricultural heritage and current practices.

NVG will lead several key activities throughout the day. The event will kick off with a harvest ride-along led by Garrett Buckland of Premiere Viticulture, an NVG Board Director. This immersive experience will offer participants a unique, hands-on view of vineyard operations during harvest.

Later in the day, Ted Hall of Long Meadow Ranch, a former NVG Board Director, will present on organic farming, emphasizing sustainable viticulture practices. Following this, Meghan Becker of In Vino Veritas, an NVG Board Director, will discuss the business of wine, covering the economics and market trends that shape Napa’s wine industry.

NVG's involvement in Ag Day underscores our commitment to community education and encourages sustainable farming practices. Be sure to follow along on Instagram as we share highlights from Ag Day on October 4!

We’re thrilled to announce that the Napa Valley Grapegrowers has been awarded two major grants, totaling over $240,000! This funding will support some of our most impactful programs and initiatives over the next several years, further strengthening our commitment to Napa Valley’s grape growers and the future of sustainable viticulture.
Below is an overview of the two grants we’ve just secured:
​
Western Extension Risk Management Education Grant
$75,000 (April 2024 – September 2025)

• Funding to support ROOTSTOCK 2024 focused on Red Leaf Virus and Red Blotch Disease. 
• Funding to support Ahead of the Curve 2025 focused on the benefits of AI to compact a changing climate

USDA Risk Management Agency Grant
$168,000 (September 2024 – February 2026)

• Development of an Organic Farming Practices Report
• Creation of an Interactive Educational Tool (360-degree video)
• Funding to support the Sustainable Vineyard Practices Seminar focused on irrigation and water conservation in 2025

These resources will help propel Napa Valley forward, allowing us to continue driving innovation, education, and sustainable farming practices in our region. Most importantly, this funding amplifies the investment our grape growers make in NVG and our shared mission.

A big thank you to Morrison for their assistance in our grant applications! 

As the 2024 harvest progresses, Napa Valley is witnessing a season marked by an early start, impressive grape quality, optimal weather conditions, and high labor availability. Despite these positives, growers are navigating significant challenges due to shifting market dynamics and economic pressures.

Exceptional Wine Quality 
Across Napa Valley, grape quality is turning out to be one of the highlights of the 2024 harvest. Growers are reporting excellent phenolic ripeness and balanced sugar levels, leading to ideal chemistry heading into the winery. The mild summer, punctuated by a brief but impactful Labor Day heat wave, accelerated the accumulation of sugars while allowing acids to develop steadily. As Matt Stornetta of Stornetta Made Farming explains, “the cooler weather is already helping the balance of sugars and acids.”

The result is fruit that promises to produce complex, flavorful wines, which has already been reported as early fermentations yield their results. Many growers are optimistic that this year’s vintage will deliver standout wines, characterized by full flavor profiles and well-balanced structure. 

Weather Conditions Support Healthy Vineyard Development
Weather has been a key factor in this year’s successful harvest. Unlike recent years marred by extreme heat or wildfires, 2024 has provided growers with near-ideal conditions for grape maturation. According to Chris D'Alo of Nord Vineyard Services, this season’s climate reminds him of 2018, another highly favorable vintage.  Steady winter rainfall provided deep soil moisture and set the stage for strong canopies, resulting in yields well balanced with vegetative growth.  July heat arrived while canopies still had access to adequate soil moisture, with most growers noting the cessation of shoot growth, along with a celebrated early end of their powdery mildew control programs.

The persistent (and often reliable) heat over Labor Day did pose challenges for some vineyards, particularly in areas with shallower soil or with limited irrigation capacity. However, these effects have been isolated, and the majority of vineyards have bounced back, with D'Alo remaining optimistic: “The fruit flavor is excellent, and I do believe this vintage will produce some amazing wines.”

Increased Labor Availability Eases Harvest Challenges
A positive development this harvest season has been the increased availability of farmworkers, a significant change from the shortages experienced in recent years. Thanks to cooler weather, the pace of harvest has been moderate and steady, contributing to a smooth and efficient harvest. D'Alo notes that there are many eager workers available, which may shift needs away from H2-A supplemental crews come the 2025 harvest season. Navigating the complexities of an early harvest without the additional strain of labor shortages has allowed growers to meet the harvest requests of their winery partners, adding to the positive outlook for wine quality in 2024.  

Market Struggles Pose Challenges for Growers
While the quality of the 2024 harvest is undeniable, the economic landscape remains challenging for many. The spot market for grapes has been difficult, with prices often failing to meet production costs. Stornetta notes that many conversations with winery partners have not resulted in deals, as unsold fruit remains an issue.

As wineries pull back on production due to the evolving state of wine sales , the supply of grapes  has outpaced demand, causing strain for growers statewide. D'Alo echoes this concern, noting that while this vintage will likely produce exceptional wines, fewer cases will be produced due to the current market conditions.

Looking Ahead: Quality Amidst Market Challenges
The 2024 harvest presents a complex picture: while the weather has provided nearly perfect conditions for grape development, and labor availability is at an all-time high, the economic struggles facing the industry cannot be ignored. Despite these market challenges, the promise of exceptional wines coupled with Napa Valley’s hard-earned pedigree of distinct wines recognized on the global stage provide an outlook marked by resilience and the ability to adapt. Napa Valley’s growers remain committed to producing world-class wines, and this year’s fruit holds the potential to create wines that will stand out in any collection.

In this special episode we take you out into the field to explore two impactful programs: the Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentorship Program and NVG’s Paso Adelante committee.

First, we attend the Fields of Opportunity graduation, where 30 students completed an intensive 8-week summer mentorship. We heard firsthand from  students, their mentors, and special guests. Then, Cris Romero, a founding member of Paso Adelante, shares how this new initiative is paving the way for young professionals in viticulture and winemaking.

Tune in to discover how these programs are shaping the future of our wine industry and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders right here in Napa Valley.

"Our hope was that we could connect local high school students with a career opportunity in their backyard, in the wine industry. It began as a two-week program and has evolved into a full summer mentorship that really has fostered or helped us foster the next generation of industry leaders." - Sonya DeLuca

"I absolutely see the Paso Adelante committee or people impacting the industry. It’s really a space for the next generation of decision makers to come together and meet and kind of form that network... a passing of the baton, a bridging of the gap between this young generation and the older one that's already established." - Cris Romero

"Because as we know in the Valley, we're all connected. Whether it is from picking the grapes, to processing them, to bottling it, to selling it, we're all one. You're part of something bigger here." - ​Myra Ayala

​The grape growing industry is currently facing significant challenges. The market for wine grapes, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, has become increasingly unstable, with spot market rates falling to levels that are difficult for many growers to sustain. Even those with contracts are finding it harder to secure favorable prices for their fruit. While the bulk wine market offers some support, it is also feeling the effects of this downturn.
 
This decline is reminiscent of the industry struggles in the 1980s when the grape-growing community faced similar economic pressures. During that time, high inflation and soaring interest rates, combined with an oversupply of grapes, created a challenging environment for growers. The economic recession of the early 1980s further reduced consumer spending on higher-priced wines, leading to a drop in grape prices and increased financial strain on vineyards. These conditions forced many growers to become more strategic and adaptive, much like the situation we find ourselves in today.
 
In anticipation of these challenges, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) established the "Grape Market Task Force" in March 2024 to proactively address the current market conditions and support our members. This task force is focused on preparing our industry for difficult times by offering resources, guidance, and strategic connections. Our initiatives include hosting webinars on market trends, investing in paid SEO for the Napa Winegrape Market, connecting members with fruit brokers to explore all possible sales avenues, and developing a white paper with guidelines for those considering not harvesting due to economic constraints.
 
In these testing years, every grower must determine their "rock bottom" price—the minimum acceptable price for their grapes—before entering negotiations. While it may be tempting to turn to the bulk wine market, selling bulk wine may not yield better financial outcomes than selling grapes directly. For some growers, unfortunately, there will be no contract or viable options for selling their fruit, resulting in a significant loss for the year.
 
As an organization, we remain committed to supporting our members through this period. We will continue to advocate for the protection of our agricultural lands and the economic sustainability of our vineyards, as these are foundational to the future of Napa Valley. The NVG will continue to take a proactive approach, doing everything possible to help our members navigate these challenging times. As history has shown, our community's resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence will see us through to brighter days ahead.