Vintage Reflections
Winemaker Melissa Paris
Veraison
Summer 2025

We’re now seeing veraison across all vineyard sites—the key transition when grapes soften, develop color, and begin their final, steady march toward ripeness. Compared to last year, veraison is slightly delayed. This isn’t surprising given the cooler-than-average summer we’ve experienced in Napa. With fewer heat spikes and more moderate days, the pace has been measured, and the vines are responding accordingly.

This slower start isn’t a concern—in fact, it can benefit fruit quality over time. What it does mean is a slight adjustment to our vineyard timeline. All blocks are now showing signs of veraison, though some are still working toward full uniformity. Whites are progressing a bit more quietly, but internal ripening is underway there as well.

During veraison, grapes shift from hard, green berries to soft, plump, and colorful ones. This marks the beginning of the final stage of grape development before harvest and directly influences wine quality and timing. Key changes include:

• Color Change: Red varieties accumulate anthocyanins and turn purple; whites soften and become more translucent.
• Sugar Accumulation: Sugars begin to build, setting the stage for fermentation and alcohol development.
• Acid Reduction: Malic acid levels decline, helping balance tartness and structure.
• Aromatic Development: Grapes begin forming more complex aromas and flavors.

Veraison also gives us an early look at ripening patterns and block uniformity. When variation is high, we may drop underdeveloped clusters or slow-ripening “shoulders” to avoid bitter tannins or tart, green flavors in the final wine. These visual cues help me begin mapping out the harvest sequence and track how vineyards and microclimates are progressing compared to prior vintages.

Our growers and vineyard teams are focused on this transitional phase with care. Irrigation is being adjusted to support even ripening, and canopy work—leafing, hedging, and sun exposure management—is being applied with block-specific precision. These efforts help maintain vine balance and support high-quality fruit development.

On the production side, bottling is now complete (thankfully!), and we’re checking in on the 2024 wines as they transition into their next aging phase. Equipment prep and deep cleaning are being planned now, though most of the heavy lifting will begin when our harvest interns arrive next month. These early steps are essential—they set the tone for a safe, organized, and efficient harvest season.

For those less involved in day-to-day vineyard or winery work, now is a great time to connect with what’s happening on the ground. These seasonal changes, though subtle, directly shape how we move into harvest.