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September, 2019

Night Harvest Workers

HAPPIER WORKERS, BETTER WINE

A lot is happening in California’s vineyards this month while you are sleeping. Just about the time you’re drifting off, harvest crews are showing up for their shifts. Grapes prefer to be clipped in the cool of the night, arriving at wineries before dawn with their firmness and acidity intact. Vineyard workers prefer it, too. They are far more comfortable working the vine rows in the fresh air that prevails after dark. Another plus: no bees. Mobile floodlights follow the crews to illuminate their work zone; even so, night harvesting saves energy. Grapes picked in the heat of the day have to be chilled, requiring energy, before they’re crushed and fermented. Night-harvested grapes are easier to de-stem, too, because they’re crisp, not limp from heat.

The Pour

California Wine Month

Every month is California wine month, for sure, but September makes it official. California Wine Month. Capital W. Capital M. With 30 days of special tastings, boot camps, cave tours, concerts, vineyard hikes, lobster feeds and more. From one end of the state to the other, wineries are rolling out the red carpet for visitors. It’s a great excuse to schedule a getaway and experience wine country in harvest mode, the moment that wineries work toward all year.

What a good time to raise a glass to a product that contributes hugely to the nation’s economy, cuisine, culture and quality of life. Peruse all the California Wine Month events and grab some fun stats about your favorite beverage.


Wine Institute is an association of nearly 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses from the beautiful and diverse wine regions throughout the state. Wine Institute works to create an environment where the wine community can flourish and contribute in a positive fashion to our nation, state and local communities. For information please contact communications@wineinstitute.org.