There’s something palpable in the air in Napa Valley in the weeks before harvest. The vineyards are heavy with fruit, the days are golden, and the nights are cooling down. You can feel the valley holding its breath.

Walking through the rows of our estate vineyards this time of year is pure magic. The Cabernet Sauvignon clusters are plump and glowing in deep purples, and every day they taste just a little more ready. We’re out there constantly, clipping samples, checking sugar levels (Brix), and watching how the acidity and tannins shift. Ripeness isn’t just about numbers on a chart – it’s about flavor, texture, and timing.

At the winery, the cellar feels a bit like a stage before the curtain rises. Tanks are scrubbed until they shine, barrels are stacked and waiting, and every pump, hose, and press gets tested and re-tested. Our winemaking team runs through their game plan daily. There’s laughter, caffeine, and a little nervous energy, because once harvest starts, it’s non-stop – early mornings, late nights, sticky boots, and the smell of fermenting fruit filling the air.

But right now, for us, it’s a beautiful pause until it’s time to start picking our Cabernet. The vines glow in the late-summer light, the evenings are perfect for lingering over a glass of wine outside, and everyone’s savoring these last calm moments before the joyful chaos begins.

If you visit Napa in late summer, you’ll catch this special in-between season. You might see vineyard crews walking the rows with sampling bags, hear forklifts moving barrels into place, or even spot winemakers with purple-stained fingers from tasting berries. It’s part magic, part meticulous work – and it all leads to the most exciting time of year.