October 29, 2024 – Saint Helena, CA – Napa, CA – As the 2024 growing season draws to a close, Napa Valley growers and winemakers are reflecting on another noteworthy harvest. Described as dynamic and rich in flavor, the 2024 vintage promises to deliver quality wines that capture the unique character of Napa Valley, blending boldness with elegance.
In terms of what this vintage will be remembered for, winemakers have been consistent in their assessment. It was a textbook year for winemaking, yet it was unusual for the numerous days of heat during the growing season. Key to the success of the vintage was heavy winter rains that set the vines up for success.
Vintage Quality
Everything came in as expected. “It was a vintage where you didn’t have to stress as a winemaker,” said Richie Allen, director of winemaking for Rombauer Vineyards. “I’ve only had a couple of vintages like that in Napa.”
Alison Rodriguez, winemaker at Silverado Vineyards said her wines had “early, quick and easy fermentations with great density of flavors” and that they were “pretty stunning coming right out of the fermenters!”
When asked how winemakers are feeling about the wines Julie Robertson, winemaker at Crocker & Starr Wines said she’s seeing “great color, great flavor, great extract and tired but happy people!” and Nate Weis, vice president of winegrowing at Silver Oak said, “it’s going to be another very good vintage for Napa Valley.”
So, how will the wines age? According to Dante West, winemaker at Amici Cellars, the “wines will have a long life, but lots of plushness and richness that will allow for those who like young wines to enjoy them upon release.”
“The stars are aligning that it’s another pretty awesome Napa Valley vintage,” said Allen.
Growing Season
The growing season kicked off with heavy winter rains, which saturated soils and laid a foundation for healthy vegetative growth, preparing the vines for expansive heat events from June through harvest. “We had 38-40 days above 100 degrees this season,” said Matt Stornetta, owner of Stornetta Made Farming, “The soil moisture this winter was pivotal. The natural shade provided by the canopies helped vines endure the heat.”
Harvest kicked off earlier than in 2023 and was considered more “normal” for a Napa Valley vintage in terms of overall timing. For sparkling wine, “We started picking on August 2 and finished on September 2,” said Pauline Lhote, winemaking director at CHANDON, “The entirety of August had optimal conditions. The nights were cold, which preserved the acidity of the wines. It is a good vintage for sparkling wines.”
Still wine varieties kicked off mid-August and were harvested through mid-October. West agrees with what other winemakers are saying, “It’s a classic vintage for Napa Valley. It is nice to see what I think a lot of people would call “normal” after 3 very different vintages in a row (21,22,23).”
Yields were variable across the region; in some areas, pinot noir and chardonnay yields were down 10-20%, while zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon yields, for example, were average or slightly above average.
Heavy winter rains laid the foundation for another exceptional vintage in the Napa Valley:
- The heavy winter rains provided healthy soil moisture and canopy growth, which helped vines endure 40 or more days above 100 degrees
- Soil moisture was pivotal in supporting vegetative growth this growing season; the natural shade canopy protected the crop through the season’s heat events
- Rather than solving through additional irrigation, growers are adapting to warm weather conditions by assessing and catering to the specific needs of the vines
- Growers and wineries leaned on strong relationships and clear communication to navigate the winegrape market
- 2024 vintage yields varied across the region with most being average to above average
- Characteristics of the 2024 vintage: tremendous color, bold flavors, classic Napa Valley vintage
Press Release
2024: A Classic Vintage for Napa Valley - Wine Industry Advisor
