An Early Start to the Season

As spring begins to take hold in Napa Valley, the vineyards are already coming to life – earlier than we’ve seen in recent years. The 2026 growing season is officially underway, bringing both excitement and a heightened sense of vigilance.
An Early Start to the Season
Budbreak began on March 9th, marking the earliest start to the growing season we’ve recorded across our vineyards in recent years. For comparison, budbreak has ranged from as early as March 11th to as late as April 5th over the past several vintages, highlighting the wide variability that defines growing season.
Budbreak signals the transition from dormancy to active growth, as stored energy within the vine fuels the emergence of new shoots – setting the entire vintage into motion.
An early start like this opens the door for extended hangtime, which can enhance flavor development, tannin refinement, and overall complexity in the wines. However, it also increases exposure to one of spring’s greatest risks: frost.
Farming for the Microclimate
In preparation for budbreak, our crews have completed mowing and are now moving into spring cultivation- French plowing undervine, followed by disking, with rototilling soon to follow.
These passes are carefully timed. By mowing right before and during budbreak, we reduce the insulating effect of tall cover crops and allow the soil surface to absorb and radiate more heat – slightly elevating temperatures around the vine during cold mornings.
At the same time, this work incorporates our winter cover crops and previously applied compost back into the soil. This improves soil structure, stimulates microbial activity, and ensures nutrients are available as the vines begin active growth. The goal is simple: align soil availability with vine demand at the exact moment the season begins.
Managing Timing in the Vineyard
While we can’t control the weather, we can influence timing.
Varieties that require less heat to initiate growth – such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – are pruned last. By delaying pruning, we can slightly postpone budbreak and reduce the risk of shoots emerging too early. In some years, this can mean the difference between growth beginning in February versus a more favorable window in March.
These small, deliberate decisions help us better align vine development with the realities of Napa Valley’s spring conditions.
Frost Season: Prepared and Watching Closely
With growth beginning this early, we are entering an extended frost window. Young shoots are highly sensitive, and even a brief drop below freezing can impact the vintage.
Our vineyards are equipped with wind machines, which are critical during inversion conditions. On cold nights, warmer air sits above the vineyard floor. Wind machines pull that air down and mix it with colder air near the ground, raising temperatures around the vines by a few crucial degrees.
At our Pelissa Vineyard, we also utilize overhead frost protection. This system sprays a fine layer of water over the vines, which freezes around the developing shoots. As water turns to ice, it releases heat through an exothermic reaction, helping to maintain the temperature of the buds at a protective level -even as surrounding air temperatures drop below freezing.
Across all of our vineyards, weather stations continuously monitor temperature and alert us when conditions approach critical thresholds. When temperatures dip below 36°F, we’re notified immediately – sometimes resulting in a 2:00 AM wake-up call to start frost protection. Sleep schedules become a bit flexible this time of year.
Looking Ahead
The energy in the vineyard right now is palpable. With an early start and a full team in motion, the foundation for the 2026 vintage is already being set.
These early-season decisions – from soil management to pruning strategy and frost protection- play a direct role in shaping the wines you’ll eventually experience in the glass. Each step is taken with the goal of expressing the character of our vineyards as clearly and thoughtfully as possible.
We look forward to sharing this vintage with you as it unfolds.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
By Alec Klobuchar, Viticulturist