September is harvest month in wine country
The 2016 Grape Harvest, also know as The Crush, is on, but the best is yet to come. With temperatures lower than normal the past week, the grape clusters are slowly maturing. That is what the vineyard growers like. A lengthy “hang time” means the grapes mature slowly, allowing the grape flavors to intensify. Most of the red grapes will be harvested throughout the month of September. Several of the growers have indicated that 2016 will be a much better harvest in quality and quantity than last year’s harvest. The yields will not be huge, like 2013 or 2014, but enough to keep all the vintners on the happy side. Harvest of the grapes takes place in the early morning hours when temperatures are very cool. High temperatures are unhealthy for the grape-picking crew. The grapes also need to be picked when they are cool. The Napa Valley Register had a wonderful synopsis of the harvest status with various regions of the Napa Valley. Take a look at the report.