As fall wraps up in Napa, we reflect on what it means to be
a part of such a hard-working and agricultural area. According to the Napa Vintner's Association, the Napa Valley is home to
44,210 acres of grapes which is made up of more than 40 different wine grape
varietals. Each year, our community comes together to produce the namesake
product of our region: wine. We are thankful for all of the people who worked
around the clock to produce a product that is enjoyed around the world.
Ninety-two percent of all wineries in the Napa Valley are family owned, which
makes it even more important to us to support individual wineries by raising a
glass for a toast (or two) to the hard work and diligence put in year-round.
Our friends at the Napa Valley Register said it best when they wrote, "The weather was cooperative, the pace was even, and the quality of the Napa Valley's 2021 grape harvest looks to be top-notch.
That's the verdict from grapegrowers across the valley. The vast majority of them have either already completed harvest or are finishing the final blocks this week.
"The quality and concentration we are seeing is through the roof so it will undoubtedly be known as a small harvest of very high quality," said Tom Farella of Farella Vineyard in Coombsville.
Best of all, this harvest was free of the wildfires that marred the 2020 season. Now growers are busying themselves with punchdowns, pumpovers, preparing the vineyards for the rainy season, and praying for rain.
"As cover crops are being seeded and erosion control measures are being taken, we can only hope for plenty of rain during the coming months," said Alexander Eisele of Volker Eisele Family Estate.
