2024: A Classic Vintage for Napa Valley

Nighttime harvest picks kept crews cool. Photo by SOMM TV.

10/29/2024 - Saint Helena, CA - Napa, CA - As the 2024 growing season draws to a close, Napa Valley growers and winemakers are reflecting on another noteworthy harvest. Described as dynamic and rich in flavor, the 2024 vintage promises to deliver quality wines that capture the unique character of Napa Valley, blending boldness with elegance.

In terms of what this vintage will be remembered for, winemakers have been consistent in their assessment. It was a textbook year for winemaking, yet it was unusual for the numerous days of heat during the growing season. Key to the success of the vintage was heavy winter rains that set the vines up for success.

Vintage Quality

Everything came in as expected. "It was a vintage where you didn't have to stress as a winemaker," said Richie Allen, director of winemaking for Rombauer Vineyards. "I've only had a couple of vintages like that in Napa."

Alison Rodriguez, winemaker at Silverado Vineyards said her wines had "early, quick and easy fermentations with great density of flavors" and that they were "pretty stunning coming right out of the fermenters!"

When asked how winemakers are feeling about the wines Julie Robertson, winemaker at Crocker & Starr Wines said she's seeing "great color, great flavor, great extract and tired but happy people!" and Nate Weis, vice president of winegrowing at Silver Oak said, "it's going to be another very good vintage for Napa Valley."

So, how will the wines age? According to Dante West, winemaker at Amici Cellars, the "wines will have a long life, but lots of plushness and richness that will allow for those who like young wines to enjoy them upon release."

"The stars are aligning that it's another pretty awesome Napa Valley vintage," said Allen.

Growing Season

The growing season kicked off with heavy winter rains, which saturated soils and laid a foundation for healthy vegetative growth, preparing the vines for expansive heat events from June through harvest. "We had 38-40 days above 100 degrees this season," said Matt Stornetta, owner of Stornetta Made Farming, "The soil moisture this winter was pivotal. The natural shade provided by the canopies helped vines endure the heat."

Harvest kicked off earlier than in 2023 and was considered more "normal" for a Napa Valley vintage in terms of overall timing. For sparkling wine, "We started picking on August 2 and finished on September 2," said Pauline Lhote, winemaking director at CHANDON, "The entirety of August had optimal conditions. The nights were cold, which preserved the acidity of the wines. It is a good vintage for sparkling wines."

Still wine varieties kicked off mid-August and were harvested through mid-October. West agrees with what other winemakers are saying, "It's a classic vintage for Napa Valley. It is nice to see what I think a lot of people would call "normal" after 3 very different vintages in a row (21,22,23)."

Yields were variable across the region; in some areas, pinot noir and chardonnay yields were down 10-20%, while zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon yields, for example, were average or slightly above average.

Heavy winter rains laid the foundation for another exceptional vintage in the Napa Valley:

• The heavy winter rains provided healthy soil moisture and canopy growth, which helped vines endure 40 or more days above 100 degrees
• Soil moisture was pivotal in supporting vegetative growth this growing season; the natural shade canopy protected the crop through the season's heat events
• Rather than solving through additional irrigation, growers are adapting to warm weather conditions by assessing and catering to the specific needs of the vines
• Growers and wineries leaned on strong relationships and clear communication to navigate the winegrape market
• 2024 vintage yields varied across the region with most being average to above average
• Characteristics of the 2024 vintage: tremendous color, bold flavors, classic Napa Valley vintage

LEARN MORE ABOUT NAPA VALLEY'S HARVEST

View the 2024 Harvest Press Conference

Industry insiders joined together to discuss the 2024 growing season, timely topics related to Napa Valley agriculture and harvest. Moderated by Kelli White, Director of Education for The Wine Center at Meadowood Napa Valley, panelists included Bertus van Zyl of Farm Collective, Matt Stornetta of Stornetta Made Vineyards Management, Richie Allen of Rombauer Vineyards and Pauline Lhote of CHANDON.

SOMM TV 2024 Napa Valley Vintage Report

The SOMM TV 2024 Napa Valley Vintage Report premieres Wednesday, November 20, 2024 and is free for all to watch. Winemakers will get together to recap the harvest season and talk about the vintage including Rebekah Wineburg of Quintessa, Kurtis Ogasawara of Robert Mondavi Winery, Niki Williams of Cakebread Cellars and Collin Cranor of Grape Culture.

Year-round Resources

About the Napa Valley GrapegrowersFor nearly 50 years, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, has played a vital role in strengthening Napa Valley's reputation as a world-class viticultural region. Its mission is to cultivate viticultural excellence and environmental stewardship for the Napa Valley, and it represents 685 Napa County grape growers and associated businesses. For more information, visit Napa Valley Grapegrowers and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

About the 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. Since 1981, the NVV has invested more than $230 million in its community to provide equitable access to healthcare and opportunity for youth advancement. NVV is dedicated to improving diversity and championing inclusivity in its community and in the wine industry. Learn more at napavintners.com.

Contacts:

Caroline Feuchuk, Napa Valley Grapegrowers - (707) 913-8212, [email protected]

Teresa Wall, Napa Valley Vintners - (707) 968-4210, [email protected]

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 $230 million in community healthcare, youth development and the environment in Napa County, and is dedicated to improving diversity and championing inclusivity in its community and in the wine industry. Learn more at napavintners.com.

Contact: Teresa Wall, Senior Director of Communications - 707-968-4210, [email protected]

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