Each year from August through October, Napa Valley comes alive with the excitement and rush of harvest. Winery teams can be seen picking grapes in the vineyards for crush, and some wineries even offer special harvest tours so you can witness the winery production facilities in action. Here are some experiences to truly write home about – from “a day in the life” of harvest to making your own custom blend to stomping the grapes. Many of these experiences are by appointment only, so be sure to plan ahead and call for more details.
Harvest Events
From Fruit to Wine: The Magic of Harvest
Location: Groth Vineyards & Winery
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Price: $125 per person
Go behind the scenes in the cellar and among the vines at Groth Vineyards & Winery. You’ll walk the vineyard to gather grapes, then return to the winery to evaluate their ripeness and predict the optimal pick date. Tour the crush pad and cellar to learn the crucial first steps of turning fruit into wine. And taste the first juice of the vintage along with a flight of Groth wines!
Hands-On Harvest Experience
Location: Trefethen Family Vineyards
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Price: $280 per person | $224 per wine club member
You’ll start your day with an in-depth vineyard tour and the opportunity to get “hands on” picking grapes. After harvest, you will enjoy an incredible al fresco lunch paired with Trefethen wines, then follow the freshly harvested crop to the winery and learn about winemaking practices.
Cursh it at Estate Yountville
Location: Estate Yountville
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Select events free. For grape stomping and more, purchase tickets.
Price: $75 for adults | $35 for children
This harvest festival includes free events for families, including kid-friendly entertainment and live music. Adults can purchase tickets for full access to wine tastings, delicious harvest-inspired snacks, and a live grape stomping – kids can stomp with a ticket, too!
Crush Party
Location: Bouchaine Vineyards
Date: Sunday, October 6, 2024
Price: $150 per person | $100 per wine club member
Celebrate the 2024 Harvest by joining Bouchaine Vineyards for grape picking and stomping. You can clip clusters from the vine! Guests will enjoy live music and can commemorate the occasion by taking home a grape-juice dyed t-shirt.
Harvest Party & Grape Stomp Competition
Location: Benessere Vineyards
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Price: $135 per person. |. $85 per wine club member
Enjoy the thrill of competitive grape stomping while rocking out to live music – complete your experience with a world-class al fresco lunch.
Crush Party
Location: V. Sattui Winery
Date: Friday, October 18, 2024
Price: $180 per person | $145 per wine club member
Experience harvest during one of the most exciting times of year in Napa Valley & step behind-the-scenes of a working winery. Participate in an old-fashioned grape stomp, and meet their growers and winemakers. Enjoy live music and food at this open house event and taste from over 45 wines!
Winery Experiences
If you can't make it to Napa Valley during harvest, don't worry – a few Napa Valley wineries offer hands-on wine experiences year-round.
Raymond Vineyards
Live the dream of being a Winemaker For a Day. Learn the winemaker’s art while blending your own Napa Valley Bordeaux-style red blend. Craft wine, fill, cork, and dress bottles with your custom label, then take it home with you that day. Available Wednesday – Monday. $175 per person | Member receive 20% savings.
Judd’s Hill Winery
The Bottle Blending Day Camp leads guests through a personal tasting, education, and blending session as you perfect your Bordeaux-style blend using samples from four barrels of four red varietals. It’s a fun and informative wine country outing for singles, couples, and groups. Reservations for this experience can be made with at least 24-hour notice, and can even be done remotely over Zoom.
