Each year from August through October, the 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. The entire valley is filled with the wonderful smells of harvest and you’ll find ideal warm autumn weather.

With so many harvest parties, dinners, grape stomping and other activities, harvest is the peak season to visit Napa Valley. Discover harvest events listed below, or visit our wineries or wine tasting rooms to take part in some of the activities.

THE STAGES OF HARVEST…

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.

Don’t Miss Harvest Parties in 2019

“Are your grapes in yet?” As autumn rolls in, that’s the most common question you’ll hear around the Napa Valley among the legions who work in the wine industry. It’s a month or two of anxious anticipation followed by manic, around-the-clock activity – ending with a collective exhalation and celebration when the harvest is done.

And speaking of celebrations, here are some options for visitors to join in the annual festival of harvest. Unless otherwise noted, these popular events are only for those aged 21+. They often sell out early so make your reservations soon!

Jamieson Ranch will host a sit-down Harvest Dinner with its winemaker, Linda Trotta, and estate chef, Scott Ekstrom. They’ll be pouring some special new-release wines paired with the flavors of fall. Monday, August 12, at 7 pm.

9 th Annual Mexican-American Vintner’s Association Harvest Festival– For those who love food and wine, this multi-cultural experience is a must. Taste wines from 15 local Latino winemakers, savor food and appetizers by award-winning Latino chefs, and enjoy live music and entertainment with a salsa orchestra, Aztec dancers, and Ballet Folklorico. Saturday, August 17 from 3 pm to 6 pm at Vista Collina Resort. Tickets are $150 and $300.

Crocker & Starr is hosting its annual Carnivus Maximus celebration (pictured above), featuring the release of its 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stone Place; library wines and large formats from its cellar; a feast from local purveyors including Hog Island Oyster Co., The Fatted Calf Charcuterie, ZUZU, and Paradise Shaved Ice. Sunday, September 1 from noon to 4 pm. $200/person general admission.

The CIA at Copia invites the public to come to its third-annual Ciderfest, celebrating another of fall’s favorite fruits – apples. Spend the afternoon enjoying seasonal eats, live music, and local ciders with friends and the whole family. Sunday, September 1 from noon to 3 pm. Prices vary.

The Hess Collection is hosting its annual Lion’s Release Dinner. Hosted by fifth-generation Tim and Sabrina Hess and the winemaking team, the memorable evening will include a garden reception and formal dinner by Executive Chef Chad Hendrickson in the Hess Art Museum. Saturday, September 14 from 6 to 9 pm. General admission is $300/person, Collectors Club Members $240/person, and Top Collectors $225/person.

V. Sattui Winery will hold its annual Harvest Ball, where you’ll dine on a multi-course dinner prepared by an Italian-born, Michelin-starred chef and drink award-winning V. Sattui wines. Live music from cover band ALTER EGO. Saturday, September 14 from 5:30 to 11 pm. $285/person general admission; $260/person for club members. In October, V. Sattui will also host its annual Crush Party, with live music, an old-fashioned grape stomp, a live-fire Tuscan grill and wood-fired pizza ovens, and more than 45 wines to taste. Saturday, October 5 from 6 to 10 pm.

Robert Biale Vineyards will host a Fall Wines Celebration to kick off harvest and launch its fall wines, which will be featured along with small bites. Saturday, September 14 from 1 to 4 pm. $55/person general admission; $40/person wine club members; and free to 5+ Club members. Biale Vineyards will also present an Al Fresco Dinner with its fall wines paired with a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Bernardo Ayala of Napa Valley Bistro. Saturday, October 12 at 6:30 pm. $125/person general admission, $105/person for club members.

Rutherford Hill Winery will hold its eighth-annual “Barn Bash” release party. You can enjoy a special selection of Rutherford Hill and Terlato Vineyards wines paired with authentic barbecue fare, then rock out to live music in the Oak Grove amid stunning views from the hilltop. Sunday, September 15 from 11 am to 2 pm. $85/person general admission, $70/person club members.

Castello di Amorosa celebrates the harvest season with their Harvest Celebration & Stomp Friday, September 20 from 6:30 to 10 pm. Join in on the grape stomp, enjoy a rustic Wine Country dinner buffet paired with Castello wines and celebrate with live music. $125 general admission and $95 for wine club members.

Quintessa invites visitors to gather in its St. Helena vineyards to toast its 2019 vintage with live music, spectacular wines, and local artisanal food from some of the valley’s great chefs. Limited to just 180 guests, this event always sells out. Saturday, September 21.

Benessere Vineyards invites you to its Harvest Party and Grape Stomp, with good company, great food, fine wine, live music, and competitive grape-stomping! Local favorite food truck Mark’s the Spot will serve a BBQ lunch to pair with Benessere Vineyard wines. There will also be vineyard tours and barrel-sampling with winemaker Matt Reid. Saturday, September 21 from 11 am to 3 pm. General admission $125/person, wine club members $75/person.

Tamber Bey is inviting the public to its biggest event of the year, the Fall Harvest and Release Party. You’ll celebrate crush and new vintages of the winery’s five Yountville Appellation red wines with great food, live music, and lots of fanfare. The party kicks off at noon and the fun continues all afternoon. Saturday, October 5 from noon to 5 pm. $95/person general admission, $65/person for club members.

Fairwinds Estate Winery will hold its 4th Annual Harvest Dinner Saturday, October 5 from 6 to 9 pm with live music, a mozzarella demonstration and newly released wines, followed by a seated three-course dinner in the wine caves. $175/person.

Markham Vineyards is hosting its annual Harvest Celebration Dinner. A catered dinner will be served in its historic stone cellar, each course paired with exclusive Markham wines. Saturday, October 19 from 5 to 8 pm. Tickets are currently $135/person, $125/person for 1879 Society members. After September 1, the price increases to $150/person, $140/person for club members.

Baldacci Family Vineyards invites you to celebrate the end of harvest with their 6th Annual Harvest Dinner in the Red Barn. Enjoy a family-style meal with live music, dancing and Baldacci wines, November 23 from 6-9 pm. $175/person general admission, $100/per person for club members.

Grape Stomping and Hands-on Tours during Harvest 2019

It’s that time again: Get ready to welcome Harvest 2019! This year, instead of spending your weekend just wine-tasting, why not stain your hands (or feet) purple like a real winemaker? Several Napa Valley wineries offer truly interactive experiences – from “a day in the life” of harvest to making your own custom blend to stomping the grapes with your feet. Most of these experiences are by appointment only, so be sure to plan ahead.

Raymond Vineyards offers a 90-minute experience that allows you to be a “Winemaker for a Day.” Guests each create three different blends to find their preferred alchemy of four different varietals. Once they select their favorite blend, they bottle, cork, foil, and affix their personally designed label onto the bottle. $125/person or $100/person for club members.

Round Pond Estate features a “Day in the Life of a Winemaker” experience on October 5, 2019. Join Winemaker JJ Dowell for an incredible insider’s look into how Round Pond’s celebrated estate wines are made. This unique experience begins in the winery with fresh scones and sparkling wine. Next, join the winemaking team on the crush pad for an immersive hands-on experience in wine production, and then enjoy a special dip into the barrels for a taste of what’s to come. The afternoon ends with a sumptuous artisan lunch created by the estate chef under the shade of the pergola.

Conn Creek Winery invites guests to The Great Grape Stomp on October 19, 2019. Visitors get to hop into a barrel and stomp while enjoying a glass of Conn Creek wine, indulge in harvest-inspired food and dance to live music. $75/person or $55/person for club members. Reservations are available until September 9, 2019.

Judd’s Hill Winery offers a Bottle Blending Day Camp™ in which you’ll be led through a personal tasting, education, and blending session as you choose your perfect Bordeaux-style blend from four barrel samples. After selecting your favored cuveé you’ll bottle, label, and foil your bottle before taking home your personally crafted wine. Group pricing starts at $95/person.

Grgich Hills Estate celebrates founder Mike Grgich’s roots in Croatia, where he learned to crush grapes with his feet. From the beginning of harvest (roughly around Labor Day) through the end of October, you can stomp some grapes, enjoy a glass of Grgich Hills wine, then take home a souvenir T-shirt and Govino glass. $50/person.

V. Sattui Winery invites all its visitors to observe its grape sorting, destemming, and pressing procedures on the crush pad during the whole harvest season. The production staff engages with guests and answers any questions they might have about the process. No reservations are necessary.

Villa Ragazzi is an intimate, artisanal producer of just three Sangiovese-based wines in Oakville. Guests are invited to do a vineyard tour and taste with owners Michaela and Gregory Rodeno. It can take an hour or longer, depending on the size and interest of the group. Because this is a small, family-run operation, there is no tasting fee, but of course, they hope the experience will encourage you to buy a few bottles. Appointment required.

Be sure to check out the event calendar for even more harvest event information https://www.visitnapavalley.com/blog

NAPA VALLEY HARVEST SEASON 2019

by Traci Stanier

NAPA VALLEY HARVEST SEASON 2019

THE STAGES OF HARVEST…

Don’t Miss Harvest Parties in 2019

Grape Stomping and Hands-on Tours during Harvest 2019

Traci Stanier

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