Napa Valley launches 2025 grape harvest amid hopes for third exceptional vintage and shifting market dynamics

The 2025 grape harvest in Napa Valley began last week, marking the start of what many local winemakers hope will be a third consecutive standout vintage. The first grapes to reach the crush pads were Pinot Noir from Yountville, picked by Mumm Napa on August 8, and Chardonnay from Rutherford, harvested by Round Pond Estate the same day. Both wineries plan to use these early grapes for sparkling wine production.

Winemakers across the region are optimistic about the quality of this year’s crop, citing one of the coolest summers in recent memory as a key factor. Jeffrey Plant, winemaker at Round Pond, described the growing conditions as ideal and said he is hopeful that Napa will see “three amazing vintages back to back.” The cool weather has slowed ripening, which many believe will result in wines with greater balance and complexity.

Other producers have also started their harvests. Truchard Vineyard in Carneros picked five tons of Pinot Noir on August 11 for The Vice, a winery that sources grapes from nearly every subregion in Napa. Founder Malek Amrani expects the 2025 wines to be “crisp and pure,” thanks to the early harvest and mild summer. Benessere Vineyards in St. Helena began picking Pinot Grigio on August 12, earlier than usual. Winemaker Matt Reid attributed this to even ripening following ample rainfall and steady weather during key stages of vine development.

Sauvignon Blanc was also harvested last week by Inglenook and St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, with Blackbird Vineyards expected to bring in about 10 tons of Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc this week. Aaron Pott, winemaker at Blackbird Vineyards and Pott Wines, said the persistent marine layer from the Pacific Ocean has kept temperatures low all summer, making it the coldest since 1999.

Despite high hopes for quality, there is uncertainty about yields and market demand. Last year’s California grape crush was the smallest in two decades, with statewide production down 24% from 2023. In Napa Valley specifically, red grape yields fell by 16.5% and white grapes by 15.5%. Earlier predictions suggested that 2025 could see even lower volumes, but early reports now indicate a possible increase of 10% to 15% over last year.

However, higher yields may not benefit everyone. Some wineries are reportedly trying to reduce their grape contracts due to concerns about oversupply and high processing costs at custom crush facilities. Adam Sabelli-Frisch of Sabelli-Frisch Wines noted that even free fruit can be too expensive to process when factoring in facility fees.

Yield estimates remain mixed across Napa Valley. Inglenook’s Jonathan Tyer expects his highest tons-per-acre since 2019, while Benessere’s Matt Reid sees yields similar to or slightly above last year. At Blackbird Vineyards and Pott Wine, cluster weights are slightly lower due to cool weather during flowering. The final outcome may depend on whether significant rainfall holds off until after harvest.

As growers look for ways to maximize revenue amid rising costs, some are turning their attention to Cabernet Franc. According to Loren Costillo, a wine strategist based in Napa, Cabernet Franc now commands an average price of $10,633 per ton—nearly $1,400 more than Cabernet Sauvignon—reflecting increased demand for this variety. Riesling is also fetching high prices at $8,500 per ton.

Cabernet Franc plantings remain limited in Napa Valley but have grown modestly over the past decade. Not everyone is convinced it will become a major driver of revenue; Jay James, president of Benchmark Wine Group and a master sommelier, points out that only a few sites in Napa are ideally suited for Cabernet Franc and that collector demand remains focused elsewhere.

As the harvest continues through September and into October for later-ripening varieties like Viognier and red Bordeaux grapes, winemakers will be watching both quality and quantity closely. The next few weeks will determine whether Napa Valley can deliver another exceptional vintage while balancing economic pressures facing growers and producers throughout California’s most famous wine region.