Napa Valley Grape Harvest

Each year at the end of summer, the Napa Valley comes alive with the excitement and rush of harvest. After months of careful nurturing and observation, winemakers all over the valley finally give the word, “it’s time.”

The Stages of Harvest in Napa Valley

Grapes for sparkling wines are the first to be picked, usually in early August, marking the start of "crush". Next, 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.

2017 Napa Valley Harvest

Want to learn more about this year's harvest?

Get the play-by-play on the 2017 harvest from our friends at the Napa Valley Vintners
Harvest Parties

Take part in the tradition of celebrating harvest. Join us at a Napa Valley harvest party!
Interactive Harvest Experiences

This year, instead of spending your weekend just wine tasting, why not stain your hands (or feet) purple like a real winemaker?

The Harvest Process

Harvest workers bring in Napa Valley grapes

Napa Valley harvest worker in the vineyards

Vineyard crews work morning and night throughout the vineyards to deliver the year's crop to the crushpads

Harvest workers sort the grapes, removing leaves, twigs, bugs, unripe and damaged fruit

Fermenting red grapes during the harvest process

After crushing and pressing, the grapes ferment on their skins - this process can last days to a month

The wine is finally set to age in barrels or steel tanks - this process can last months to years

Wine and Wineries

Napa Valley Winery Map

Plan your visit with our Napa Valley winery map, which includes appellations and towns

Explore Wine and Wineries

Our directory of hundreds of wineries to taste from, along with wine and winery facts and information

Makers of the Napa Valley

Meet the diverse and dynamic community of makers at work across the Napa Valley in restaurant kitchens, design studios, and wellness centers as they create local art, chocolate, wine, sustainable farming, olive oil, delicious meals, health and beauty products.