Harvest Report – 28 August, 2026

For Smith-Madrone, it’s been a very strange growing season, going back to March. It’s pretty clear that the crop is much below normal and the amount of shatter is significant. Mother Nature has thrown us a curveball and that’s all there is to it. We’ve brought in our Riesling and will move on to Chardonnay this week. The reds look to be several weeks off. Winemaker Leigh Meyering from Flying Lady reports that they’ve picked Pinot Blanc grapes from York Creek Vineyards for their sparkling wine and they’re already halfway through fermentation. As far as their Cabernet Sauvignon, flavors are beautiful and they have high hopes as those grapes continue to ripen.

Winemaker Wes Steffens of Vineyard 7 & 8 reports that they’re on track for what might be their earliest start to harvest on record. Yields are shaping up to be well below average and flavors and quality have him optimistic that 2026 will be another high-quality vintage. Winemaker Matt Gardner from Keenan picked Chardonnay on Aug. 13 and 14, and that was a record early start for them. The yields were very low, but the chemistry numbers for the juice were right and the flavors nice and rich. They picked part of their Zinfandel last week and will pick the rest this week. Winemaker Andy Schweiger of Schweiger Vineyards picked Pinot Noir last week. Shatter hit that varietal hard as well as the Malbec. The Pinot was only 0.4 acre per ton but had amazing aromas and concentrated flavors and color. He doesn’t plan to pick anything else for a week or so.

Written by Stuart Smith, Smith-Madrone Winery, published in Napa Valley Register