Harvest is on in Napa Valley and Guests are Invited to Experience It

7/22/2026 - Saint Helena, CA - The first grapes destined for sparkling wine have arrived at the crush pad in Napa Valley, signaling the start of the 2026 harvest. While harvest marks the beginning of another vintage, it also transforms Napa Valley into one of the most exciting destinations where visitors can experience winemaking in real time.

Harvest Begins

Sparkling wine grapes are among the first to be brought in each year to preserve the bright acidity and freshness that define great sparkling wines. Round Pond Estate kicked off this year's harvest with six and a half tons from their Rutherford, CA estate vineyard on Tuesday, July 21. For Round Pond Estate's winemaker Jeff Plant, timing is everything.

"We are looking for the stars to align. We need acid, sugar and flavor to all be in sync at the exact same moment," said Plant. "Sparkling is arguably the most difficult pick to call because your pick window is so tight."

This year's first pick is earlier than usual, but not far off of the 2015 harvest which began on July 22, 2015. Fruit for Mumm Napa and Schramsberg will soon follow, both with picks planned on Thursday, July 23. Tami Lotz, winemaker at Mumm, said "The fruit is looking and tasting great!"

Those who have not begun are getting ready. Among many other countless preparations, the team at OVID Napa Valley is focused on finishing the 2025 blends before the first grapes arrive.

Niki Williams, winemaker at Cakebread Cellars has been sampling Sauvignon Blanc blocks three weeks sooner than last year "to make sure Brix levels don't sneak up on us." She predicts their first Sauvignon Blanc will come in July 29-31.

Experience Harvest Firsthand

Vineyards and wineries come alive with the sights, sounds and aromas of the season as grapes arrive from the vineyard, fermentation begins and another Napa Valley vintage starts to take shape.

Throughout harvest, wineries welcome guests with grape stomps, vineyard experiences, winemaker dinners and other special events that capture the excitement of the season. Whether joining PEJU's Harvest Festival & Grape Stomp, celebrating One Harvest, Many Stories with Battuello Vineyards, MTGA Wines and Hunter Glenn, or attending one of many other events, visitors have an opportunity to experience Napa Valley during its most dynamic season.

A full calendar of events can be found at NapaValley.wine.

Follow the 2026 Vintage

Throughout the season, Napa Valley Vintners will share updates from vineyards and wineries across the valley, including observations, milestones, winemaker perspectives and behind-the-scenes stories that capture the spirit of harvest.

Follow the 2026 Napa Valley vintage at HarvestNapa.com.

As the pace builds, Napa Valley's winegrowing community will once again come together to shape another vintage, one vineyard block at a time.

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, and is a champion of inclusivity in its community and industry. Learn more at napavintners.com.

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