Today's Article

"I was telling someone the other day that I'm not sure we'll see another vintage like this in our lifetime. As a winemaker, I feel very lucky to have experienced this vintage." 

Burgess Cellars Winemaker Meghan Zobeck says 1anticipation for the 2023 vintage is 2off the charts in the Napa Valley for both reds and whites. She believes there's something special about this 3harvest. Grapes have big energy and 4complexity. 

"You just know when you taste it, you know, you're just like, 'oh, my gosh, this harvest, this is 5incredible.'" 

"I think it's going to be one of the best vintages I've worked at in Napa by 6hands down."

Macy Stubstad says the cork-popping news comes after one of the longest growing seasons in a decade. Some grapes weren't harvested until late October or November due to a cool spring and 7drought-busting rains, which slowed the 8ripening process but created lots of "hang time" on the 9vine. 

"So when the vines woke up in the spring, about two weeks later, from 2022, they came out with a lot of energy and good reserves to be able to grow full 10canopies." 

Napa Valley Grapegrowers, with a membership of nearly 700 are also declaring '23 as one of the best. 

"Our growers are saying high quality, high 11yields, which is somewhat unique. And yeah, definitely one 12for the record books." 

These vines are now 13dormant for the winter but after a challenging decade of 14wildfires, smoke and epic drought, there's now something worth raising a glass to.

"Grapegrowers and winemakers, this community remains adapt. They adapt. They're in farming. It's what 15Mother Nature throws their way"