Trucks loaded to the brim with grapes lumbering their way along roads in wine regions all over the country. They’re on a mission making their way to crush pads as quickly as possible to deliver the precious cargo that will soon be transformed from grapes to wine.

This is the big show! There is so much excitement and energy buzzing through wine country with the majority if not all wineries actively in harvest mode. Cellar Crews are working round the clock through the hot summer days and into the darkness of night as they usher in the 2022 Vintage. This is a hands-on process and a true labor of love as winemakers and their cellar team keep a watchful eye every step of the way during these crucial days of the winemaking process.

There is no sleep for the weary! There are punch downs to be done, juice to be drained off the red grape skins at the optimum moment to create the delightful rosé we will be sipping next spring, tanks to be cleaned quickly (by hand) in anticipation for the next load of grapes arriving soon, and barrel bungs to be tended to for those very special barrel fermented wines we love so much. For winemaker’s and their crews this is crunch time and for many they won’t slow down until November. It will be around Thanksgiving when they can finally relax as this “baby” vintage is now happily in barrels, tanks or even cement eggs to commence the aging process.

Now that harvest has been underway for a few weeks something new starts to happen. There is a new aroma that begins to fill the air. This is what many refer to as the “smell” of harvest. It’s a unique slightly pungent and musty scent that is just becoming noticeable in the early morning air and will grow in intensity as harvest progresses.

We were tickled to see many of our winery friends posting photos and videos of their "Blessing of the Vintage" ceremonies. Blessing of the vintage is a tradition where the whole winery team gathers around the first grapes delivered to the crush pad, raises a glass and toasts to the bounty and success for this vintage. As is part of the ceremony a splash of wine is then poured upon the freshly harvested grapes "the blessing" just before they are destemmed and crushed. Thank you Monticello Vineyards and Cliff Family Winery for posting so much of your harvest action, it's almost like being there.

Cheers! To all of our winery friends to a truly wonderful 2022 vintage.

Local Insider's Tip

New Experience Alert!

If you've thought about joining a wineclub or perhaps are ready to switch up your existing memberships, this one is for you!

V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena has just launched their Member's Tower Club tasting. This is an exclusive, ultra-premium tasting experience located in the Vittorio Tower Tasting Room. Luxuriate in sumptuous leather bar stools surrounding the circular marble bar, while sipping only the best vintages of V. Sattui's highly-rated vineyard-designated wines.

Membership has it's privileges not only will you have access to V. Sattui's estate only wines, this exquisite experience is complimentary (up to 4) for Gold Club, President's Club, and Hall of Fame members.

Become a Member