The 2024 harvest at Wente Vineyards is officially halfway through, and it’s shaping up to be a vintage to remember. This year, the growing season kicked off with a cool winter followed by many warm summer days that ripened the grapes faster than expected. We harvested a week earlier than average and about three weeks earlier than vintage 2023. While our yields are slightly lower than average for white varieties, the quality and concentration of the fruit have us excited for what’s to come.

Our first day of harvest in the Livermore Valley was on August 19th, beginning with Sauvignon Blanc. Since then, we’ve made great progress and are now 34% complete with the overall harvest in the region. We anticipate wrapping up the white grape harvest this week before moving on to the red varieties. The fruit so far has shown excellent flavor development, and we’re excited to see how our signature reds evolve as they come in.

In Arroyo Seco, harvest began just a few days later on August 21st with Pinot Noir, for a future sparkling wine program – stay tuned for more. The region’s longer growing season allows for slow and even ripening, which gives our wines their complexity and depth. We’re currently 7% complete with the Arroyo Seco harvest and are looking forward to starting the Arroyo Seco Chardonnay harvest in early October.

Niki Wente, our Director of Vineyard Operations, reflects on this year’s harvest: “Each season is different, and 2024 has brought us early ripening and a unique balance of flavors. We’ve seen fantastic acidity in our whites, and now we’re eagerly awaiting the reds, which are looking just as promising.”

As we head into the second half of the season, both the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco vineyards are delivering exceptional fruit, setting the stage for an exciting and high-quality 2024 vintage. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue through the harvest season and work to bring the best of these two distinct regions to life.