The frantic tempo that preceded and continued during the hot spell has slowed to match the great weather. Many of the Spring Mountain District wineries who thought they’d be finished now are merrily harvesting when the time seems just right. Most, but not all, will be finished by this week’s end.
There is a group who seems to always finish toward the end and these are Spring Mountain Vineyard, York Creek Vineyards, Pride and Sherwin, and this year will be no different. Similar to the 2021 vintage, the vines have once again been heroic. They held tough through one of the worst droughts in history, they held tough through the worst heat spell in history and they are giving us beautiful wines with deep red colors, soft tannins and wonderful flavors.
This may be the year that reaffirms the old proverb that the vines must struggle to produce grapes that will make great wine.
Written by Stuart Smith, Smith-Madrone Winery, published in Napa Valley Register