California 2024 Winegrape Harvest Begins Early and Delivers High Quality

Plentiful winter rainfall and warm summer temperatures set the stage for a memorable vintage across the state

SACRAMENTO — The 2024 California winegrape harvest got off to an early start in many regions following a rainy winter, a cool spring and a warm summer. While some appellations experienced late-season weather events that led to reduced yields, vintners across the state are reporting a high-quality vintage for 2024. Many winegrowers utilized innovative approaches to leverage opportunities and address challenges during this fast-paced growing season and harvest.

California produces about 80% of the nation’s wine, making it the world’s fourth-largest wine producing region. More than 90% of the state’s wine is made in a Certified California Sustainable winery and over 65% of the state’s roughly 610,000 vineyard acres are certified to one of California’s sustainability programs (Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming, LODI RULES, Napa Green and SIP Certified). California’s nearly 6,000 winegrape growers produce more than 100 varieties grown in 154 distinctive American Viticultural Areas throughout the state.

Winemaker and Vintner Comments on California’s Growing Season and Harvest

John Kane, general manager of Bonterra Organic Estates in Hopland, reported a wet winter in Mendocino County, followed by a cold spring. As the season progressed, summer heat accelerated growth and brought the vines up to speed. Picking began on Aug. 7 and finished in mid-October after a compressed harvest. “Typically, our harvest extends into November,” he said, “so finishing before Halloween marks a shift.”

Red grape clusters were smaller this year, resulting in highly concentrated color and a clean, fruit-forward profile. “The earlier harvest has also led to higher acid levels,” Kane said, “indicating strong aging potential for the 2024 vintage.”

In Napa Valley, vintners also experienced abundant winter rains.

“The weather conditions were ideal through bloom, which helped set a healthy crop,” said Renée Ary, vice president of winemaking at Duckhorn Vineyards in St. Helena. Temperatures were above average in June and July, she said, and harvest began Aug. 14. Weather conditions remained moderate through September, which allowed sugars and flavors to stay in balance. Early October heat triggered a quick finish to the harvest.

“I am seeing beautiful, deeply colored Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot backed with concentrated fruit, pillowy tannins and bright acids,” Ary said. “We had very little pyrazines this vintage, which was helpful when navigating the heat.”

Blake Wood, director of vineyard operations in Napa for Constellation Brands, said this year’s crop turned out to be slightly smaller than pre-season projections, with great quality for Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

At Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery in St. Helena, growing conditions seemed to alternate from cool to hot and from wet to dry, according to winemaker and vineyard manager Aron Weinkauf. Blocks that normally ripen earlier were picked late in 2024, he said, while blocks that normally reach maturity late in the season ripened early.

Overall, Weinkauf said he is happy with the results across varieties. “California tends to be blessed with good vintages, and this looks to be one of them,” he said. “The fruit characteristics are great. I think we were able to achieve the ripeness we wanted and avoid the overripe characteristics that could have potentially left a big thumbprint on the vintage.” Tannins are firm and structured, he added, though they are less dominant than in some other vintages.

Heidi Bridenhagen, winemaker at MacRostie Winery and Vineyards in Healdsburg, said growing conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were excellent in Sonoma County, despite high heat in late August and early September. “Just as I started to get stressed about things like tank capacity and dehydration, the weather really cooled off,” she said. “So, we got an extra two weeks for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to recover on the vine, soak up some moisture, finish ripening and come in at an even and steady pace — with really amazing quality overall.”

MacRostie completed harvest by Oct. 1, before a heat spike arrived later that month.

“I have been really impressed with the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc quality,” Bridenhagen said. “They are aromatic and complex, and very expressive overall.”

In Monterey County, the growing season brought little to no shatter, average yields and no rot or mildew issues, according to Heidi Scheid, executive vice president at Scheid Family Wines in Soledad. A wet, cool spring led to favorable conditions for fruit set, followed by extended periods of mid- and late-season heat. “In whites, we’re seeing excellent varietal character, strong aromatics and balanced acidity,” Scheid said. Among the reds, she noted, “Pinot Noir is a standout,” with impressive complexity and acidity.

For Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles, the season began with ample winter rainfall that flushed root systems and fostered good cover crop growth. The entire growing season ran about two weeks behind the region’s typical progression, including delays in cluster development, berry maturity and harvest. Picking began in September, about two weeks later than normal.

Stasi Seay, director of vineyards at Hope Family Wines, pointed to several factors that contributed to reduced yields in 2024, starting with spring frosts that affected crop levels in low-lying areas of Paso Robles. High temperatures in August led to smaller berry sizes in many varieties, which lowered crop estimates. A heat spell in October kicked harvest into overdrive with reduced yields and high fruit quality.

“So far, this vintage looks to be fantastic, showing great color, structure and mature flavors,” said Seay. “This has been a vintage worth the wait.”

DAOU Vineyards, also in Paso Robles, experienced a rainy winter leading to vigorous and robust canopy development early in the season. Vice President of Enology and Viticulture José Alberto Santos noted that after a cool spring and a mild summer, July brought a two-week heatwave followed by another heat event after Labor Day, that accelerated ripening for early varieties and clones.

A cool period followed, prolonging time on the vine into late September and early October for the remainder of the fruit. “This was definitely a warmer vintage — in some respects similar to 2022 and 2018,” said founder and chief winemaker Daniel Daou. Quality for Cabernet Franc, he added, is exemplary.

View the full 2024 California Harvest Report, including regional reports from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Lodi, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz Mountains and Temecula.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL 2024 CALIFORNIA HARVEST REPORT

About Wine Institute

Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. The organization works to protect the economic and environmental health of the state through its leadership in sustainable winegrowing. To learn more about California wines, visit Discover California Wines.