The 2023 Grgich Hills Estate Harvest Report
While the 2022 harvest season will forever be remembered for the heatwaves that sent many Napa grape growers into a panicked picking frenzy, our experience in the autumn of 2023 has been the total opposite! Not only were we blessed with an unusually cold and wet winter (that even saw some of our vines powdered in a layer of snow for the first time in decades) but those cool temperatures have persisted, resulting in an unseasonably chilly year all around.
Reflecting on the uniqueness of this vintage, our Winemaker and VP of Vineyards and Production Ivo Jeramaz said this: “The first characteristic of this season is that we’re running late, 3-4 weeks behind where we were last year. Not only that, but our picking schedule is also much more condensed than usual – we’re harvesting reds and whites at the same time, which is unusual.”
A late and more concentrated harvest isn’t a bad thing, though. It’s an indicator that the grapes have been able to ripen at a slower pace, developing flavors more gradually and steadily. The lower temperatures are especially appreciated in September and October, as heat spikes can lead to dehydration and an increase in sugar levels (Brix), resulting in a higher alcohol content wine. This year, we’ve achieved a great balance between sugar and acidity in all of our grapes and have been able to pick them at the perfect time to ensure they reach their peak of quality, without any meteorological constraints.
As of October 17th, all of our white grapes have been harvested and crushed, which is much later than usual. They’ve had thicker skins and a firmness unlike previous years. As the aromatics of the grapes come from the skins themselves, this is indicative that our 2023 vintage whites will have an incredible bouquet when they are released.
Our red varietal grapes have been beneficiaries of the colder season as well – their slow ripening this year has led us to be only halfway through their harvest as of October 19th. The mild fall means that there are no “raisin” grapes on the vine, which means we’re in store for some great freshness and elegance in our 2023 reds. However, their standout quality is absolutely in their coloring. Heat and direct sun bleach out the colors of grapes, but there is no sign of that this year, with our Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon taking on a luxuriously rich and deep hue that will translate to the wines.
“This has been an incredibly rewarding year,” Ivo remarked, “after three years of drought and heat waves, we’ve finally had ideal growing conditions for all of our vineyards, and you can absolutely taste the quality in the grapes we’re harvesting. It’s one of the most beautiful seasons I’ve seen in my career.”
