Wine, a work in progress

"This week, the sun rose on our first day of harvest. We brought in eight tons of grapes for our Sangiovese Bianco, as we prepare for its tenth vintage. But winemaker Rusty Folena quickly uncovered a surprise in the vineyard ... an unusually light crop.

While the fruit remains bright and complex, 2026 looks to be one of our smallest vintages in decades. Proof that mother nature is hard to predict. We look forward to following this tiny, mighty vintage as it evolves from grape to juice to wine."

- Lindy Gullett, PhD - President, Vino Noceto Winery, 8/14/26

"Here in Alexander Valley, our warm days and cool evenings are doing their magic in the vineyards. The grapes are ripening beautifully, and before we know it, the first bins of fruit will be headed to the winery as another harvest begins.

August is one of our favorite times of year - a month filled with long days, abundant flavors, and the excitement of watching another vintage come to life."

- The Family Team, Alexander Valley Vineyards, 7/31/26

"As we move into July, the 2026 weather recap can be summed up in a few words: warmer temperatures and below-normal rainfall. This has sped up vineyard development, keeping our crews extremely busy!

The warm days drive the plant growth, while the cool nights allow the vines to rest and recover, and the foggy mornings provide much-needed moisture. This ideal combination allows the grapes to mature slowly, maintaining the optimal balance of flavors.

The vineyard views continue to change daily. The vines are experiencing rapid canopy growth, and our crews are pulling leaves and removing shoots to maximize sun exposure and airflow."

- The Family Team, Alexander Valley Vineyards, 7/1/26