2018 Winegrape Harvest Begins Today in Sonoma County

Near Perfect Summer Growing Conditions Builds Excitement

 

For an Outstanding Vintage as First Grapes are Picked

 

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (August 15, 2018) – The first grapes of the 2018 vintage of Sonoma County’s famed winegrapes were picked today in vineyards throughout the county.

 

At Sangiacomo Family Vineyards, harvest crews converged on a 5-acre vineyard block on Broadway near the town of Sonoma early this morning to begin picking the first grapes of the 2018 harvest. Pinot Noir grapes were being hand-harvested for Gloria Ferrer sparkling wines.

 

Across the street from Sangiacomo in Sonoma, Sasaki Vineyards expect to pick about 20 tons Pinot Noir today, and about 7 more tons tomorrow. The remainder of their 12-acre lot will be picked within 7 days with all the grapes going to Gloria Ferrer and it has for the past 17 years.

 

Up north in Cloverdale, more than 70 tons of Chardonnay grapes were being picked by a crew from Redwood Empire Vineyard Management this morning for Rack and Riddle’s sparkling wine program.

 

“It is always exciting to get the harvest underway and given all our county has had to weather over the last ten months, the late nights, early mornings and added pressure of harvest season are actually welcome,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “I am excited about this harvest as it seems Mother Nature has blessed us with terrific growing conditions which could make the grape quality outstanding.”

 

In addition to picking the first grapes of the season, Angelo Sangiacomo of Sangiacomo Family Vineyards, will be presented with an American flag by Congressman Mike Thompson’s office. The flag was flown over the nation’s Capital and is part of the kickoff of the 2018 winegrape harvest.