The consensus of Matt Gardner at Keenan, Ron Rosenbrand at Spring Mountain Vineyard, Andy Schweiger at Schweiger Vineyards, and myself is that harvest will start about three weeks later than normal. We’re all looking at starting about the end of the second week in September.
There’s no veraison in the Cabernet Franc, 30% in the Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Chardonnay is maybe 60% through. Unfortunately, that exceptionally foggy June gloom has resulted in Chardonnay with lots of chicks and hens (high variation in berry size). The berries of the red varietals seem smaller than usual, which is good for quality, and with the loose clusters, the reds will be able to take several Hilary-like storms with no problems.
Written by Stuart Smith, Smith-Madrone Winery, published in Napa Valley Register