Harvest used to approach gradually. In early August the upper canopies would slow as leaves settled into a dark green. Berries would swell and begin the slow process of ripening. Things slowed in late August as aromatics and tannins developed within cool, long days. The grass underfoot, the leaves above, the pokeweed and creeper along fencelines all slackened with the coolness, and, hopefully, the dry soil. Pre-harvest preparations included monitoring vine stress, organizing and reorganizing the cellar, and obsessively watching weather forecasts. It was the start of a long race for which we were hopefully well-trained.

      In the past ten – and particularly, five – years, the start of harvest has been more of a swift leap. Some of this is our fault: we cultivate varietals that ripen earlier; we receive early-season grapes from local growers; we make a few more barrels of sparkling each year. Each result in earlier picks.

     That said, it’s hard to ignore the quicker pace of ripening. Our average pick dates are getting earlier. Of course, we decide when to pick, and there can be a week’s difference simply based on pruning, crop load, and spacing of the canopy. The earliest five pick dates for Russ Merlot, for instance, have all been in the past five years; however, that’s more a reflection of changes in management than it is seasonal weather.

     That said, the weather is hard to ignore. We’ve had 2,520 GDDs as of September 1st, 8% more than the past 10-year average, which itself is 6% more than the past 100 years. Annual rainfall is down – we’re still technically in a drought – although timing is more important than amount. The summer has been pleasantly dry but early August was rough – 2.6 inches in the first week, which diluted berry sugar and pushed us back at least seven days.

Bethany Ridge Sauvignon Blanc Harvest Dates

  • 2017 – 8/30
  • 2018 – 8/30
  • 2019 – 8/27
  • 2020 – 9/4
  • 2021 – 8/30
  • 2022 – 9/2
  • 2023 – 8/25
  • 2024 – 8/20
  • 2025 – 9/1
  • 2026 – 8/28

Bethany Ridge Sauvignon Blanc Average Harvest Brix

  • 2017 – 2021 – 21.9
  • 2022 – 2026 – 22.9

     For our wine style, we want dry, cool weather during the late stages, particularly at night. This was never an option in early August in Virginia, but it can be toward the end. The average low in Loudoun in the final two week of August is 64. The past ten-year average was 66.7. This year it was 67. My least favorite SB vintages (2023 and 2024) were the earliest picks we’ve ever had. The wines were bright and vibrant but lacked length and aromatic interest. They were also the two highest SB brix we’ve ever had.

     The number of days between the cessation of vegetal growth to harvest has been shrinking year over year. This year the condensing gap was exacerbated by the frost and, probably, the nutrients and compost we applied to offset lanternfly damage. Vines need a balanced crop to create an energy sink to stop growth. Many blocks simply don’t have enough fruit this year. The balance is off. Hedging is pushed closer to picking. Gone are the days of organizing and reorganizing.

     Granted, it’s early. At the time of writing, we’ve only picked Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay for sparkling, and, as I type, Gruner for our pet nat, which looks stunning. We’re at the start of the race, but we have a sense, at least, of how the first lap will feel.