9/5/2014 - St. Helena, CA – According to the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) nonprofit trade association, harvest is in full swing in America’s premier wine region as wineries continue to shift their focus from recovery efforts related to last month’s earthquake. Much of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes have been harvested and other whites, like Chardonnay, and red varieties, like Pinot Noir, Merlot and Malbec, are starting to hit crush pads throughout the valley. Picking of Cabernet Sauvignon, the region’s most widely planted variety, will begin soon.
In spite of one of the driest winters on record, the 2014 harvest is expected to produce another high quality vintage from the Napa Valley. Spring rains and consistent weather throughout the growing season will likely yield an average to above-average crop of evenly ripened fruit.
Although a handful of the more than 120 wineries that were impacted by the August 24 quake are still assessing damage and continuing their recovery efforts, 99% of Napa Valley’s wineries have returned to their core business of producing and selling wine. Even some of the most badly damaged wineries in the town of Napa and surrounding areas have reopened to the public or have set up temporary harvest facilities to turn the rapidly ripening grapes into wine.
Meanwhile, generosity and concern abounds for the area’s residents and businesses affected by the earthquake. The Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, created by the NVV with a $10 million lead donation and administered by the Napa Valley Community Foundation, is accepting donations.
To follow the 2014 Napa Valley harvest through photos, videos and weekly reports
Contact: Patsy McGaughy, Communications Director 707.968.4207 pmcgaughy@napavintners.com
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