2025 California Harvest

Published on September 22, 2025 in A-Wines news

2025: A Promising Vintage in the Making

The 2025 harvest is underway across California, with picking already starting as early as August depending on the region and climate. While the entire year plays a role in shaping the vines, it is in the final stretch that the grapes reach perfect maturity and achieve the balance needed for harvest.

This year’s growing season has been marked by a relatively cool summer, balanced by pockets of heat that helped the fruit catch up in ripeness. The result: a vintage with fresh character, bright acidity, and strong potential. Volumes, however, remain something to watch closely.

Across the state, growers are showing both patience and excitement. Many emphasize that the final stretch is key—right up until the last minute.

As things stand, all signs suggest that 2025 could deliver a vintage of elegance and balance.

Lyeth Estate

Cabernet in Mendocino showing resilience and promise

As harvest approaches, producers are closely monitoring vineyard conditions to make the right decisions at the right time. Among them, Nicole Walsh, winemaker at Lyeth Estate, recently visited the Cabernet vineyards in Mendocino County to evaluate the state of the vines and taste the fruit ahead of picking. Her observations offer valuable insight into how the 2025 vintage is shaping up on the ground.

Grand Napa Vineyards

Waiting for the perfect moment to harvest Cabernet

Further south, in the heart of Napa Valley, Dwight Bonewell, proprietor at Grand Napa Vineyards, is also keeping a close eye on Cabernet Sauvignon. With harvest just a few weeks away, his team is carefully tracking the grapes’ progress to ensure they are picked at the peak of ripeness.

Stewart Cellars & Guthrie Family Wines

Heritage Vines and the Spirit of the 2025 Harvest

In the heart of Napa Valley, winemaker Blair Guthrie steps among Zinfandel vines that trace their roots back to 1886. As the 2025 harvest unfolds, he reflects on the patience and respect required to work with such historic vines. The cool mornings, gentle ripening, and careful picking define a season full of promise for both Stewart Cellars and Guthrie Family Wines.

The story is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: California winemakers are once again proving their ability to adapt, wait, and capture the very best of each growing season.

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