8/25/2010 - St Helena, CA--The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) gathered to kick off harvest 2010 on Tuesday, August 24 at the historic Beaulieu Gardens in Rutherford coinciding with the actual first day of harvest! On a warm Napa Valley evening and under a full moon, more than 200 winery owners and winemakers joined for one last time before the harvest kicks into high gear, as members of the renowned trade group have done for decades.
Tuesday the 24th marked the day the first grapes were harvested in the appellation by Mumm Napa Valley for sparkling wine. Though most are reporting grapes are ten or more days behind normal, the 2010 season has been even and fruit is developing beautifully. The days of hot weather this week were a welcome boost to veraison—the time in grape maturation when green grapes turn either golden for white varieties or purple for red or black varieties.
NVV Board President Bruce Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars proposed a toast where he noted that, "Harvest is the best time of year in the Napa Valley--we've been watching and waiting and here it comes, enjoy!" Helping the vintners celebrate the start of harvest were Congressman Mike Thompson and Napa County Ag Commissioner Dave Whitmer.
The NVV members have already been posting stories on the season so far, and on preparations for harvest on its UNFILTERED blog at www.napavintners.com/blog
The NVV was founded in 1944 with seven members and today represents 400 wineries in the Napa Valley appellation with the mission to promote, protect and enhance the Napa Valley and its wines. www.napavintners.com
Photos: (photo credit Jason Tinacci)
6455-Bruce Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars and President of the NVV Board of Directors offers a toast
6472-Full moon rising over the Napa Valley at the annual Napa Valley Vintners Harvest Kick-off Dinner
6439-Rob Mondavi with Lara Abbott of Domaine Chandon and Ed Maass of Oberon Winery
6362-Richard Ward, owner of Saintsbury with Congressman Mike Thompson and Thompson’s District Representative Brad Onorato
6403-Vintners gather at historic Beaulieu Gardens in Rutherford, Napa Valley on Tuesday, August 24
Contact: Terry Hall, Communications Director 707-968-4217 thall@napavintners.com
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