'I’ll never forget this vintage': Inside California’s unusual wine harvest
Bedrock Wine Co. harvest crew members picking Alicante Bouschet in Glen Ellen on Sept. 22.
TL;DR
- California's wine harvest started exceptionally early, with many vineyards recording their earliest picks on record.
- A warm winter and a record-breaking hot, dry March led to early vine growth and budding.
- A cool and wet spring during the flowering period negatively impacted pollination, resulting in reduced grape cluster size and fewer grapes.
- Lower crop yields are expected across the state, with some vineyards seeing reductions of 30% to 50%.
- Despite lower yields, the temperate summer conditions are predicted to produce a high-quality wine vintage.
- The reduced harvest is seen as a positive in light of the wine surplus from previous large harvests in 2023 and 2025.
- Growers are preparing for a potentially wet winter, with strategies like cover cropping gaining importance for water retention and soil health.