Winemakers Anticipating Early Grape Harvest

Reprinted from KGO-TV/DT

If an expert were to guess the date only by looking at grapes ripening on vines, he or she would most likely say August, even based on what we’re seeing in July. Grape growers say they’re facing one of the earliest harvests ever.

The French word “veraison” describes when grapes turn from green to purple and signals ripening. It’s happening now in the Napa Valley. According to Tom Davies, who runs V. Sattui Winery, this is the warning bell, or the start of a countdown to a harvest that may begin three weeks earlier, this year

It’s all due to the weather. The dry spring kick started the grape growing season.

In reality, every wine from every season, even from the same vineyard, is different. Early wines from warmer seasons may be bolder, with more alcohol.

If the reds seem to be ripening fast, they’re nothing compared with the whites. They don’t change color, they just get softer and those grapes are almost ready now. Champagne grape growers say they could be picking by the first week of August.