As harvest season arrives in Napa Valley, the vineyards come alive with activity—often under the cover of night. At the Castello, this year’s harvest began with the picking of Block 5 Merlot, marking the start of another exciting vintage. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Night harvesting plays a crucial role in preserving the quality of the fruit. Cooler nighttime temperatures help maintain the natural acidity of the grapes, ensuring they arrive at the crush pad in optimal condition.
The berries are also firmer when picked at night, making the sorting and destemming process more efficient and precise.
For vineyard crews, nighttime conditions offer a more comfortable working environment, allowing them to carefully hand-select each cluster. Harvesting is often done in multiple passes to ensure only perfectly ripened fruit is picked.
If you find yourself in Napa Valley during harvest season, look out for the glow of lights across the vineyards after dark—a sure sign that the work of crafting the next vintage is well underway.
