Napa Valley Harvest Season | August

Q: 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. Napa Valley harvest process & events

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.

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.

Napa Valley Harvest Parties

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.

Grape Stomping and Hands-on Harvest Events

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.

Napa Valley harvest process & 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.

Learn about Napa Valley harvest season

Wine 101 vertical graphic

Harvest 2023 officially started on August 16
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery harvested Sauvignon Blanc grapes early on August 16, the first on record for the 2023 Napa Valley harvest season. This year, harvest started a couple weeks later than usual – the rainier-than-usual winter and cool spring seasons meant the grapes flowered late and needed a little more time to ripen on the vines.

2023 Napa Valley Harvest

2023 Hands-on Harvest Tours & Grape Stomping

2023 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.

2023 Harvest Parties & Celebrations

V. Sattui Winery's Festival Italiana (Joanna Salazar)

2023 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

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.