8/6/2024 – Saint Helena, CA – Today, winemakers in Napa Valley celebrate their first picks of the 2024 vintage. From south to north, winemaking and growing teams have been watching closely as grapes for white and sparkling wines have begun to reach ripeness.
This year Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, destined for sparkling wine, and Sauvignon Blanc, picked for a vibrant, crisp style of white wine were picked on the first two days of harvest in Napa Valley.
Round Pond Estate celebrated the start of harvest on Monday, August 5 noted Estate Winemaker Jeff Plant, “yesterday we brought in Chardonnay from the estate in Rutherford for our Blanc de Blancs and sparkling brut. The brix came in exactly where we wanted for the sparkling, right between 18.3 and 18.7 brix with beautiful acidity and TA between 10.5 g/L and 11.5 g/L.”
Expressing her excitement for the kickoff to harvest on Tuesday, August 6, Sara Fowler, VP of winemaking and operations for PEJU said, “We are bringing in our first load of grapes today, Sauvignon Blanc from southeast Napa! It tastes fantastic and we’re loving the quality of what we’re seeing. Harvest is happening!”
A tradition for many wineries is a “blessing of the gapes” in which the entire winery staff gathers around the first grapes brought into the winery for a celebration. The winemaker makes a toast and expresses their thankfulness for another beautiful vintage before blessing the grapes with wine from a previous vintage. This morning the PEJU and Mumm Napa teams had reason to celebrate with their first picks coming in.
“We want to pick when the acids are still bright and lively, and the sugars aren’t too high. We look for balance between the sugars and acids in the grapes. We like to see nice flavor development with bright, juicy acidity, the hallmark of a well-made sparkling wine,” said Tamra Lotz, winemaker for Mumm Napa.
Chandon will follow shortly. “We are starting the Napa harvest this week with Chardonnay on Wednesday in Yountville. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier aren’t far behind and will be picked the following day on Thursday,” said Pauline Lhote, winemaking director for Chandon in Napa. She also notes that the weather is ideal for picking, “We feel fortunate for the cold nights which let us pick in great conditions and preserve nice acidity.”
Winemakers report that this year’s start to harvest is about average compared to the first day of harvest for other vintages. Ashely Egelhoff, winemaker at Honig Vineyard & Winery is planning her first Sauvignon Blanc pick on or around August 13. “This is on the earlier side of “average” for us,” she says “Looking at our historical growing degree days, we match up closely with historically warmer years. Right now, our best estimate on reds is shortly after Labor Day.”
Napa Valley winemakers are well known for their commitment to excellence in winemaking. Kurtis Ogasawara, director of winemaking for Robert Mondavi Winery is on his 15th vintage in Napa. He expressed “I am excited for the 2024 vintage. Every year is a new opportunity to improve and make the best wines the vintage has to offer.”
Robert Mondavi Winery is predicting to start their harvest the week of August 19 with Sauvignon Blanc from estate vineyards in Oakville or Stag’s Leap District.
To follow news on the 2024 vintage and receive regular updates on Napa Valley’s harvest visit harvestnapa.com.
About Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its nearly 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, provide environmental leadership and care for the extraordinary place they call home. Since 1981, the NVV has invested more than $230 million in its community to provide equitable access to healthcare and opportunity for advancement in children’s education. NVV is dedicated to improving diversity and championing inclusivity in its community and in the wine industry. Learn more at napavintners.com.
