At Napa Valley Grapegrowers, understanding weather trends is key to supporting sustainable vineyard practices. Recently, we spoke with Erik Moldstad from Precision Forecasting to discuss the current dry and sunny conditions affecting our region.

A Dry Winter Explained
​This season, Napa Valley has experienced drier-than-average weather following a wet early winter. Erik attributes this to a La Niña pattern combined with warmer-than-usual ocean temperatures across the Pacific.

“These warmer ocean temperatures create high-pressure systems along the coast, blocking rain and resulting in dry, sunny weather,” Erik explained. Napa often falls between the extremes of wetter weather in the Pacific Northwest and drier conditions in Southern California during La Niña years. Unfortunately, the forecast for the second half of winter points to less frequent and lighter rain than usual.

Hopes for Rain?
When asked about the likelihood of an atmospheric river breaking through, Erik shared that while some rain is possible, high-pressure systems are expected to dominate. Still, Napa’s early-season rains have filled reservoirs and replenished soil moisture, putting the region in a better position despite the dry outlook.

Looking Ahead
While the forecast suggests continued dryness, Napa Valley is well-prepared thanks to early winter rains. Erik encourages growers to enjoy the mild weather while staying informed. His forecasts, available through Precision Forecasting, provide valuable insights to help vineyard managers adapt to changing conditions.

​Harvest season is winding down in Napa Valley, and it's time to look ahead! In this episode of Grown in Napa Valley, our host, Caleb Mosley, Executive Director of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, sits down with Tom Johnson from Kamprath Seed to explore how growers are preparing for next season with cover crops and soil health.
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Next, in our "Glass with a Grower" segment, we share a bottle of 2022 Matthiasson Refosco with the legendary Steve Matthiasson. Listen in as Steve reveals his unique approach to viticulture and how this vintage embodies the diverse terroir of Napa. It's an episode full of insights, tips, and of course, a little wine talk—cheers!

"Cover crops can do so much more than just prevent erosion; they bring life back into the soil, retain moisture, and even attract beneficial insects. It’s about creating a system that supports the vineyard in ways that go beyond what we see on the surface." - Tom Johnson

"Our job as viticulturalists is to support them and give them the tools and set them up for success...these vines are on our team...it’s a team effort." - Steve Matthiasson

"There isn’t a single example of a sustainability practice that doesn’t also enhance wine quality...cover cropping is a tool that builds wine quality." - Steve Matthiasson

"We used to grow a lot more different varieties of grapes in Napa...and I think for the long-term health of us as a wine region, where a wine lover can spend their life exploring deeper and deeper, we need to have more diversity." ​- Steve Matthiasson

By: Melissa Webb, Vice President, Relation - Agro Crop Insurance Agency

It’s my duty and pleasure to keep the NVG members informed on important updates that could impact your bottom line. The federal crop insurance program is a key risk management tool we recommend you look into for your vineyard operation. These programs are designed to protect you from weather events and perils that could impact your yield through the growing season, at a subsidized cost to you.

Upcoming Policy Deadlines
Grapevine Insurance – November 1st
Now available in 35 counties, this new program offers vineyard growers protection against vine loss due to fire, flood, freeze, failure of irrigation water supply due to drought, and hail. This is a separate coverage from the grape crop insurance policy and is specifically for vine mortality. The deadline to insure your vineyard for 2025 is November 1st, 2024 and coverage begins December 1st, 2024.

Grape Insurance – January 31st
This program provides coverage for yield losses caused by all naturally occurring perils (adverse weather, fire and smoke, failure of irrigation due to natural peril, etc.) The policy utilizes your individual growing records to establish the coverage. The deadline to insure your grapes is January 31st and coverage begins February 1st.

• NEW for 2025 – Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) - County based coverage option allowing you toinsure up to 95% of your crop value using county-based losses.
• NEW for 2025 – Fire Insurance Protection – Smoke Index (FIP-SI) – County based smoke exposurecoverage option allowing you to add additional smoke coverage to your underlying policy usingcounty-based NOAA air quality data to determine a loss.

Whole Farm Revenue Protection – February 28th
This highly subsidized federal policy offers you revenue protection for farm revenue declines including market price decline. Coverage is broken out by farming entity, not by specific crops, and covers you for losses in revenue due to naturally occurring events that impact your yield and/or market price for your commodities. This policy utilizes your individual tax records (Schedule F), yield data, and potential contract prices to establish the revenue to be insured. The deadline to insure your farming revenue is February 28th.

Please reach out to Melissa Webb if you have any questions.

​Last week, we had the privilege of joining the team at Inglenook in Rutherford for a behind-the-scenes look at the harvest season.

Over ten hospitality professionals gathered to hear from Enrique Herro, Director of Vineyards, about the critical role of harvest in winemaking. We learned about the history of Inglenook, a stunning 1,700-acre estate nestled in the heart of Rutherford.
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​Our tour took us to a sun-drenched vineyard block where skilled crews were expertly harvesting Cabernet Sauvignon. Sr. Associate Winemaker, Jonathan Tyer, shared his insights on the key qualities he seeks in grapes before giving the green light to pick. He emphasized that exceptional wines begin in the vineyard and that the quality of the grapes is paramount to producing estate wines.

We concluded our visit with a tour of the new winery caves, featuring state-of-the-art tanks with automated pump-overs.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in our Seasonal Vineyard Walk and a special thanks to Inglenook for hosting us.

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.

​As the 2024 harvest season kicks off in Napa Valley, the anticipation is palpable. For our members and the broader community, we are pleased to share a comprehensive set of resources designed to support a successful and safe harvest. These tools, crafted by experts, offer insights, best practices, and vital safety information to ensure the season runs smoothly.

​1. Harvest Predictions Podcast In our latest episode of the Grown in Napa Valley podcast, we delve into the much-anticipated predictions for the 2024 vintage. This year’s discussion features local experts who reflect on the unique growing conditions, analyze the potential quality of the grapes, and estimate the timing and yield of the harvest. 

​​2. Harvest Best Practices Video For growers and workers alike, our Harvest Best Practices video is an invaluable resource. This video provides an overview of the most effective techniques to ensure quality and efficiency during harvest.

3. Harvest Procedures Paper Accompanying our video, the Harvest Best Practices Paper offers detailed guidelines in both English and Spanish. This comprehensive document includes step-by-step instructions and recommendations for managing the harvest, from pre-harvest preparations to post-harvest storage.

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4. Harvest Night Safety Paper Safety is always a top priority, particularly during the demanding harvest season when much of the work happens at night. Our Harvest Night Safety Paper, available in both English and Spanish, outlines crucial safety measures for night work. 

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​5. Napa Valley Vintners Press Release on the Start of the 2024 Harvest We’re thrilled to share the recent press release from the Napa Valley Vintners, announcing the official start of the 2024 harvest. View their Vintage Tracker website for more updates.

​At Napa Valley Grapegrowers, we are committed to supporting our community through every stage of the growing season. These resources are part of our ongoing effort to ensure that the 2024 harvest is not only fruitful but also safe and sustainable for everyone involved. As you embark on this year’s harvest, we encourage you to utilize these tools and stay connected with us for ongoing updates and support.
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Here’s to a successful harvest season!

In this episode, Sander Scheer chats with us about the current state of the growing season and the expectations for the upcoming 2024 harvest. Sander shares an insider's look into vineyard operations, giving us a glimpse into the innovative techniques driving success at FARM Napa Valley.

In "Glass with a Grower," Ashton Leutner stops by with a bottle of 2018 Continuum and shares insights on the acclaimed vintage, as well as her journey in the wine industry and experiences at Continuum Estate leading up to this year's harvest.

This episode is partially funded by the USDA Risk Management Agency grant. We thank them for their continued support of our educational program and the launch of this very podcast. Please complete this two-question survey so that we can continue to receive grant funding for our educational programs.

"We waged a bit of a war in terms of mildew early on... followed up by fine-tuning with hand crews so that our sprays have an even better opportunity to target the fruit. It was a bit of a fight."

"This year, we’re blessed with big, robust canopies. It’s important to be mindful of when you start with irrigation because the switch flips every year—you’ve got this big canopy to maintain." - Sander Sheer

"The machines being produced today are remarkable... We can get a lot of tons off quickly when we need to. It’s incredible how clean it can pick if you spend the time to dial it in just right." - Sander Sheer

I was walking through one of our Cabernet blocks, and you could smell the California Bay; it blew my mind finding those aromatics in the wine later." - Ashton Leutner

“We’re just becoming more comfortable with harvesting on the earlier side, embracing more vine vigor, which may lead to earlier phenolic ripeness and less stress tannin.”​ ​- Ashton Leutner

​In our inaugural episode of Grown in Napa Valley, we cover what all growers are thinking about constantly, the weather; and what resources NVG provides to help work alongside Mother Nature. We chat with three guests: Erick Moldstad from Precision Forecasting, Justin Leigon from Pina Vineyard Management, and have a Glass with a Grower, Mary Maher, Silverado Farming Company & Harlan Estate.

This episode is partially funded by the USDA Risk Management Agency grant. Please complete this two-question survey so that we can continue to receive grant funding for our educational programs.

"I can attest to the value of these weather alerts…they’re an incredible tool and just such an asset to have in your inbox every morning." – Caleb Mosley

"You have to be a certain kind of crazy to be a farmer…we just like to hang out in the outdoor casino." – Justin Leigon

"Every year is different. I go into each vintage with a plan, but it keeps me excited every day." – Justin Leigon

"It's so important for everyone – vineyard, cellar, warehouse crews – to understand the collective effort that creates such amazing wine." – Mary Maher
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"It’s fascinating to see the evolution in vineyards and how each decision, from pruning to harvest, shapes the wine in the bottle." – Mary Maher

12/4/2023 - Saint Helena, CA - Coming off the heels of the longest Napa Valley growing season in a decade, vintners are glowing with expectancy of the truly noteworthy 2023 vintage. Some have proposed it to be one of the greats while others claim it might be the vintage of a lifetime.

“Every century, every place has its legendary vintages. I have no doubt that 2023 will go down as one of the most phenomenal vintages ever in Napa Valley. Every vintner I’ve talked to about 2023 has been nothing short of ecstatic,” said Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible and Napa Valley resident in a recent video about the 2023 harvest.

Winemakers describe the wines as having freshness, purity and elegance overall with deep colored red wines and a full range of flavors from sites across the valley.

Higher-than-average rainfall kicked off the 2023 growing season, and grape growers reported full soil profiles with plenty of moisture, which led to a successful bloom. Due to cooler spring weather, the growing season began 10-14 days behind the 2022 season.

“The remainder of the growing season was a mild one. Cooler growing conditions meant extended hang time for grapes,” said Brittany Pederson, director of viticulture for Renteria Vineyard Management. “Knowing we’d likely harvest into November, it was our job to ripen the fruit and keep it protected long enough to hang through the extended time frame.”

Relatively cool weather in tandem with an abundance of sunshine allowed grape skins to ripen slowly and develop maximal dark red color components for red wines.  With 2023’s long growing season, full ripeness of grape skins and seeds provided the building blocks for the red wines’ tannic backbone.

“Ripe, rich tannins are the wine’s source of resilience and provide the elements for a long-lived wine.  The deep red color is a signal of a stand-out vintage, especially with Cabernet,” said Jim Duane, Winemaker at Seavey Vineyard.

Aside from Sauvignon Blanc, which was harvested as early as Labor Day weekend, most varieties ripened in October. This simultaneous ripening meant grape growers and wineries coordinated picks based on tank space in the cellar, and communication among partnerships was key. As always, everyone remained nimble, taking the challenges in stride.
“Every harvest we ‘add to our belts’, so to speak, as each one delivers a new experience and learning lesson. 2023 was no exception,” said Pederson.

With consistent, mild weather throughout the season, above-average crop yields, and extended hang time, grape growers and winemakers are reporting an exceptional, high-quality, memorable vintage in 2023.

A mild growing season has the Napa Valley agricultural community excited about the 2023 vintage: 

• Winter and spring rains led to full reservoirs and healthy, saturated soils, ideal conditions as grape growers headed into bud break
• The mild, warm summer weather (72-75 degrees F) supported healthy canopy growth through bloom and set
• Though vineyards faced mildew pressure, clusters remained loose for good air flow, berries were small with concentrated flavors and the weather remained consistent
• Harvest kicked off around Labor Day weekend (September 2-4, 2023) for white wine grapes; Cabernet Sauvignon harvest started the end of September / early-October; all picks wrapped up by mid-November
• Grape growers and winemakers relished the long harvest season, which provided varieties extended hang time to develop flavors true to their unique locations

LEARN MORE ABOUT NAPA VALLEY’S HARVEST

• Photos and stories on social media
  • Instagram: @napa_valley_grapegrowers, @NapaVintners
  • Facebook: @napavalleygrapegrowers, @NapaVintners
• Regular updates about the growing season
• Year-round vintage updates from winemakers at harvestnapa.com

​SOMM TV 2023 NAPA VALLEY VINTAGE REPORT
Watch the 2023 Napa Valley Vintage Report with winemakers as they get together to recap the harvest season and talk about the 2023 vintage. Airs Tuesday, December 5, 2023 on SOMM TV.
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2023 HARVEST PRESS CONFERENCE: A recap of the season
Industry insiders joined together to discuss the 2023 growing season, timely topics related to Napa Valley agriculture and harvest. View the 2023 vintage recap on the Napa Valley Grapegrowers YouTube page.

by Kerana Todorov for Wine Business

Napa Valley’s growing winegrape season was late, with the fruit remaining on the vine for an additional two to three weeks longer than in previous years.

Growers gathered Wednesday for the online Napa Valley Grapegrowers’ 2023 harvest press conference also reported higher yields, fruit with little shatter and no late-season dehydration commonly see in warmer seasons.

The integrity of the berries’ skin was “just so fantastic” through harvest, said Justin Leigon, partner at Piña Vineyard Management. Weight was retained, along with acidity, he said. 
“It was really a fantastic vintage,” said Leigon, whose company farms about 1,000 vineyard acres, mostly in the Napa Valley.

Overall, yields were 15 to 20 percent higher than average, he said.