The 2017 Harvest

The early months of the 2017 growing season have proved to be eventful. An exceedingly wet winter was followed by an uncommonly warm summer.  The vineyards of the Napa Valley struggled against late arriving hail and progressive waves of heat. Yet, despite the tribulations, the complexities of the season will be reflected in the remarkable character of the fruit. In the weeks prior to Harvest, our winemaking team diligently walked the vineyards to track ripening, sample berries and taste fruit. Ultimately, it was the taste and quality of fruit that prompted the decision to begin harvesting.

A labor of both reason and passion, harvest is a thrilling moment in any vintage and the Opus One estate resonates with jubilant energy. From hand harvesting in the dark of a pre-dawn morning to the vigilant sorting of berries, ensuring the absolute quality of each individual berry, our vineyard and winemaking teams dedicate themselves to the pursuit of creating a great wine.

Over the coming weeks this diligence will persist as our team oversees fermentation, maceration, blending, and eventually, putting the young wine to rest in our Grand Chai.