8/14/2025 - Saint Helena, CA - Up and down Napa Valley, winemakers are reporting that white wines are just beginning to make their way to crush pads, with more to follow in the coming weeks. Soon the aroma of fermenting grapes will fill the valley, but for now, harvest has only just begun.
Before their days are filled with early mornings and late evenings spent in the vineyards and winery, a few winemakers took a moment to share their thoughts on the 2025 vintage and their first crush of the season.
On Friday, August 8, Mumm Napa harvested Pinot Noir from Yountville and Round Pond Estate harvested Chardonnay grapes from Rutherford, both destined for sparkling wine.
"We couldn’t be more excited for how the 2025 vintage is taking shape. We've had ideal growing conditions this summer, with warm days and cool nights setting our vineyard and grapes up for success," said Jeffrey Plant, winemaker at Round Pond Estate. "We're hoping that Napa Valley will have three amazing vintages back to back to back. Fingers crossed!"
Harvested on Monday, August 11, five tons of Pinot Noir were picked from Truchard Vineyard in Carneros. The grapes will become rosé by The Vice's Malek Amrani.
"The site itself is early ripening. As well, demand for lower-alcohol wines has surged in recent years. My approach is to start in the vineyard, harvesting earlier to craft a naturally low alcohol Rosé of Pinot Noir that’s crisp and pure.”
Matt Reid, winemaker at Benessere Vineyards, harvested Pinot Grigio in St. Helena on Tuesday, August 12.
"Pinot Grigio does tend to ripen early, but this is the first time it’s come in before August 15," said Reid. "I sampled it last week and knew it was time to get going. The grapes/juice are just where I want them. It tastes amazing."
Being harvested this week is Sauvignon Blanc at several wineries. Inglenook will bring in estate Rutherford fruit, Honig Vineyards & Winery will harvest grapes from Pope Valley and Gordon Valley and fruit from the Dollarhide Estate Vineyard in northeastern Napa Valley will be crushed at St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery. Next week, Blackbird Vineyards will harvest 10 tons of Sauvignon Blanc from Rutherford as well.
"Sauvignon Blanc marks the start of our harvest every year. Known for its early ripening, this vineyard is always our first pick, perfectly in step with our preference for an earlier harvest,” said Jonathan Tyer, winemaker at Inglenook.
In terms of how the vintage is shaping up so far, Reid is quite happy. "The 2025 vintage has been all I could ask for. Ample rainfall before budbreak followed by great weather at budbreak and bloom, with a mild summer means we have even ripening of a good-size crop. I’m really excited for the 2025 wines."
Tyer added that “With slower veraison and one of the cooler summers in recent memory, the vines have enjoyed a graceful, unhurried ripening—different from 2023, yet promising a wonderfully long growing season.”
Aaron Pott, winemaker at Blackbird Vineyards and Pott Wines, concurs and thinks "The cool summer has been the hallmark of the vintage. The cold Pacific Ocean has brought the marine layer inland and 'Carl the Fog' has dominated the valley the entire summer. It makes it possible to grow excellent wine in Napa Valley. This year, its influence has been strong. It is the coldest summer since 1999, so we will party like it is 1999."
In regard to other white wine varieties grown in Napa Valley, of which there are more than 30, Amrani commented “Viognier will come in by mid-September and Chardonnay right after it.” As for red wine grapes, Pott predicts, "We should start with early ripening reds from my Lagier Meredith Estate towards the third week of September," which aligns with other winemakers' predictions as well.
Follow the story of the 2025 vintage in real time at harvestnapa.com and on Instagram at @napavintners.
About Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its nearly 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, provide environmental leadership and care for the extraordinary place they call home. NVV has invested more than $245 million in community healthcare, youth development and the environment in Napa County. Learn more at napavintners.com.
Contact: Teresa Wall, Senior Director of Communications - 707-968-4210, twall@napavintners.com
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