Saturday, November 2

To provide! 2023 harvest, among the best in history, say Napa Valley winemakers

Napa Valley’s 2023 harvest could be among the best in history of the wine region, said the area’s winemakers.

Producers in the Napa Valley noted that heavy rains and a long growing season They collaborated to have a production of grapes of extraordinary quality and that will contribute to producing white and red wines of unsurpassed quality.

Earlier this year, California experienced severe winter storms that dumped torrential rains, and the Napa Valley area, in the north of the state, was no exception.

Since the 2023 grape harvest season began, winemakers were already ringing bells by confirming that grapes of extraordinary quality were harvestedwhich also predicted a formidable wine production.

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“The other day someone was telling him that I’m not sure let’s see another harvest like this in our life. “I feel very lucky to have experienced this vintage,” Burgess Cellars winemaker Meghan Zobeck told ABC.

The winemaker mentioned that the anticipation for the 2023 harvest is off the charts in the Napa Valley, for both red and white wines.

ST HELENA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Freshly picked Cabernet Sauvignon grapes sit in a bin at Hunnicutt Wine Co. on September 30, 2021 in St Helena, California.  One year after the 67,000 acre Glass Fire burned through the Napa Valley, the 2021 harvest is underway and nearing completion.  (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The grapes were harvested from late October to early November.
Credit: Justin Sullivan | Getty Images

Meghan Zobeck anticipated that something very special is expected for products made with grapes from the 2023 harvest.

“The grapes have great energy and complexity. But there was something special about the taste and feel of this vintage. You know this harvest is amazing“said the Napa Valley winemaker.

“I think that It will be one of the best vintages in Napasince I have worked tirelessly,” said Lawrence Wine Estates vineyard operations director, Macy Stubstad.

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The director of operations said that the news of the corkage comes after one of the longest growing seasons in the last decade.

In Napa Valley, some of the grapes were not harvested until late October or early November due to a cool spring and heavy rains which, in addition, contributed to practically ending a severe drought that affected the state for the last three years.

The more favorable climate conditions in California and the Napa Valley slowed down the ripening process of the grapes, but They also favored having a longer “waiting time” in the vine..

“So, when the vines woke up in the spring (of 2023), much later than in 2022, they came out with energy and good reserves to grow crowns without having to take greater risks during the season,” said Stubstad.

ST HELENA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: A worker pushes a wine barrel into a storage facility at Hunnicutt Wine Co. on September 30, 2021 in St Helena, California.  One year after the 67,000 acre Glass Fire burned through the Napa Valley, the 2021 harvest is underway and nearing completion.  (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
We will have to wait one to three years to taste the 2023 vintage wines.
Credit: Justin Sullivan | Getty Images

among whom also They highlighted the 2023 grape productionthere’s the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, with nearly 700 members, and they also declared this season’s grapes to be some of the best ever.

“Our producers High quality and high performance stand out, which is unique. One for the record books,” noted Caroline Feuchuk, of Napa Valley Grapegrowers.

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The vines remain dormant throughout the winter, but after a decade of severe drought, with intense forest fires and smoke, winemakers assured that 2023 is a year worth toasting.

“Vinegrowers and winemakers adapt, they overcome the challenges that Mother Nature presents them,” said Caroline Feuchuk.

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However, you will have to be patient to enjoy the benefits that the 2023 grape season brought. Winemakers said that The wine produced will have to be left to mature between one and three years. so that it achieves its proper maturity.

“As a winemaker, it’s like that perfect wave. If you’re a surfer, you never know if it exists. This year we had it,” Zobeck reiterated.

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