The 2022 Growing Season and Harvest, So Far

What does the current grape growing season for the Napa/Sonoma area look like so far? As of the first day of autumn, the harvest is well underway, as it started the first week of August. That's a bit early compared to other recent years, quite early when compared to a couple of decades age.

Two things are always on the minds of those in the wine business -- the ongoing drought and wildfires.

 

A late spring and gentle summer defined the 2022 growing season
up until the early September heat wave

Winter weather was drier than the long-term average, but good compared to other recent years. What was unusual were the long dry and sunny periods followed by a few days of torrential rain, then repeat. January and February, the typical wet months, were quite dry.

In Spring there was some late cool weather and some later rain.

Summer was quite mild and is expected to produce some very good wines -- for the grapes that were picked before early September's historic heat wave. The heat set all-time high temperature records and lasted for several days. Some vineyards didn't fare well.

A week after the heat subsided, there was substantial rainfall. Rain in September isn't uncommon, but the rain and following showers plus humidity lasted for a few days. Mold may be an issue.

The great news is the area has so far seen no wildfires. There was a bit of smoke in the air during August and early September from distant fires. It should not affect the local crop.

Labor shortages are an issue for wineries staffing for the harvest. This has been a problem for a couple of years.

  Defining the 2022 growing season:

The early ripening grapes, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir, were mostly picked before the heat wave and had the benefit of a moderate growing season. It's expected to be a very good year for these varieties.

The September heat wave followed by significant rainfall will be what defines the year for the late ripening grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Zinfandel ripens a bit earlier than Cabernet, but it ripens unevenly, can develop rot, and will raisin quickly. Most all the wine grapes are expected to be in by the first of October. It's wait and see on Cabernet and the other late ripening grapes.

Zinfandel showing signed of dehydration
from the heat wave