Spring in Napa Valley

What's Happening in the Vineyards in Spring?

In early spring, dormant vines awaken as new shoots emerge. This initial stage is called “bud break” when the buds on the vines begin to swell and eventually burst open, marking the start of a new growing season. After about a month, “flowering” occurs when tight bunches of flowers dot the vines – each can form a grape berry. The self-pollinating flowers drop their petals, and a tiny green grape emerges at the end of each stem, marking “fruit set” – the beginning of the grape development. This stage typically happens in late spring to early summer.