Sonoma County’s grape harvest is right around the corner and should be in full swing in the next 45 days. Harvest usually begins in August, with light-skinned grapes such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc ripening first, and often continues into October, with grapes like Cabernet and Syrah ripening up last. This is a busy and bustling time in wine country. Be aware of crowds and be sure to reserve lodging, wine tours, restaurants’, and other activities as early as possible as everything books up quickly.

Knowing when exactly to pick the grapes is both an art and science. Harvest depends on the weather, as well as the sugar content of the grapes. So far, we have had an excellent year: warm days, cool evenings and no rain.

Tucked in between three valleys, Healdsburg is the perfect location for growing—and enjoying—many wine varietals. During the harvest season, the wineries get incredibly busy with locals and visitors alike who want in on the action. Grapes are unloaded early in the morning and continue to arrive during the day, and the best wineries buzz with activity.

During this busy season, it is helpful to have tasting reservations at the wineries. This not only helps the tasting room staff, but also allows you to maximize your experience by getting front row seats to all the action.

At the Wine Stay, we recommend our guests take advantage of our concierge services to ensure a fabulous wine tasting adventure. Whether it’s horseback riding through the vines or stomping grapes just like Lucy and Ethel, our Concierge service designs your adventure and takes your harvest experience from good to exceptional!

This is a busy and bustling time in wine country. Be aware of crowds and be sure to reserve lodging, wine tours, restaurants, and other activities early as they book up quickly.

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