Each year from August through October, Napa Valley comes alive with the excitement and rush of harvest.
Tending to the grapevines is a year-round process, but this is the time when the vineyards and the wineries bustle with workers racing to pick grapes at their peak ripeness.
Cheers to #Harvest2024!
Why is Harvest season a great time to visit Napa Valley?
Harvest season is simply a fun time of year to visit Napa Valley – the valley is abuzz with activity, and the wonderful smell of fermenting wine is everywhere!
Each year between August and October, we celebrate the newest crop of grapes to come off the vines. It's a momentous event for Napa Valley winemakers and a race to pick the fruit at its peak, and ultimately create the world-class wines that have put Napa Valley on a global stage. Join in the celebration by attending harvest party events and special immersive experiences throughout Napa Valley.
If you are visiting Napa Valley during this peak travel time, be sure to make reservations in advance for wine tastings and dining! During your tastings, you might also have an opportunity for special tours to watch the winery production facilities in action, especially if the winery's vineyard crew just picked grapes that morning.
Harvest FAQ
How can I participate in Harvest in Napa Valley?
Harvest is the most exciting time year in Napa Valley, and there's plenty of ways to enjoy the season! Many wineries offer events throughout September and October, like harvest dinners, and parties. A couple wineries even offer hands-on experiences, like grape stomps, where you can get your hands (and feet) dirty.
Can I stomp grapes at Napa Valley wineries?
The tradition of stomping grapes is an ancient practice, and our wineries have replaced the tradition with machine processing. However, some wineries still have grape stomping events for visitors during harvest season. If you want to get your feet dirty, you can be a part of the crush.
When do we harvest grapes in Napa Valley?
Harvest season in Napa Valley runs August – October. Also known as "crush" season usually starts in early August with wineries picking grapes for white and sparkling wine, and concluding with red wine grapes being picked last. Many wineries throughout Napa Valley celebrate this season with guests by hosting harvest parties and grape stomping events.
When is peak season in Napa Valley?
Harvest season is peak season for visiting Napa Valley, during August through October. The valley is buzzing with the excitement of harvest, with winemakers and vineyard workers rushing to pick and crush grapes. It's also a time of celebration, with harvest parties, dinners, grape stomps, and hands-on events for visitors.
Harvest 2024 officially started on August 5th
Round Pond Estate harvested Chardonnay grapes early on August 5th for their estate Blanc de Blancs sparkling – one of the first on record for the 2024 Napa Valley harvest season. This year, winemakers report that this year’s start to harvest is typical, with warm summer temperatures helping sugar levels rise bright and early.
2024 Napa Valley Harvest
2024 Hands-on Harvest Tours & Grape Stomping
2024 Hands-on Harvest Tours & Grape Stomping
Roll up your sleeves and take part in these hands-on harvest experiences – from “a day in the life” immersive harvest events and grape stomping to making your own custom wine blend.
2024 Harvest Parties & Celebrations
2024 Harvest Parties & Celebrations
Harvest season in Napa Valley is a celebration with plenty of harvest events. Explore our top list of winery parties, events and winemaker dinners.
Want to learn more about this year's harvest?
Want to learn more about this year's harvest?
Get the play-by-play on the harvest from our friends at the Napa Valley Vintners
Did You Know? Grapes are usually picked overnight while you're sleeping.
The cooler temperatures at night are the most ideal conditions for making quality wine. Heat can cause grape sugars to increase, affecting the balance of sugar and acidity in the grapes. Cooler temperatures preserve the freshness and quality of the grapes after they are picked. Nighttime temps are also more comfortable for the vineyard workers – harvesting is labor-intensive work!
The Stages of Harvest
Grapes for sparkling wines are the usually first to be picked, often in early August, marking the start of "crush". And soon after, most of the white wines make their way from the vineyard to the crush pad.
Harvest continues through late October – sometimes early November – for red varieties, as they take a bit longer to reach full maturation. Harvesting of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the Napa Valley begins later than most other varieties and typically lasts the longest.
Late-harvest wines are made from grapes left on the vine longer than usual, allowing them to get riper and produce more highly concentrated sugars. Harvesting of these grapes can last until December.
The conclusion of harvest leads into Cabernet Season, where the winemakers can finally take a moment to relax and appreciate the fruits of their labor.
The Harvest Process
1
Vineyard crews work morning and night throughout the vineyards to deliver the year's crop to the crushpads
2
Harvest workers sort the grapes, removing leaves, twigs, bugs, unripe and damaged fruit
3
After crushing and pressing, the grapes ferment on their skins – this process can last days to a month
4
The wine is finally set to age in barrels or steel tanks – this process can last months to years