Okay, so I STILL haven't heard anything about Harvest. However...
Information from other sources tell me that Napa Harvest is right around the corner. Harvest is the single most anticipated time of the year in wine country. It is what every winemaker, vineyard manager, and winery owner awaits throughout the year. Mumm Napa has always been one of the first wineries to harvest. And as of today, there has been no word of grapes being picked this year in Napa yet. The summer of 2011 has been unusually cool, but the grapes will be ready for harvest shortly. Harvest for sparkling wine actually began yesterday along the Central Coast of California. Soon to follow are the Napa/Sonoma regions of the North Coast.
Predicting Harvest. The Pinot Noir, Pinot Munier and Chardonnay varietals used for sparkling wine are harvested first to ensure lower sugar levels. Factors that affect the decision to harvest depend primarily on the grape’s tannin, acid and sugar content. Often vineyard managers and winemakers rely on a refractometer, a hand held instrument used to measure sugar levels (degree Brix) of the grapes. When the grapes have acquired the desired sugar levels, (determined by either the vineyard manager or winemaker), the announcement is made public to harvest workers and cellar workers (that's me!) and the busiest time of the year commences. It is at that time that the celebration of Harvest begins!
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