Celebrating Our Earliest Harvest on Record
On the morning of July 31, we began our earliest harvest in recorded history here at St. Francis Winery. The first grapes of the season arrived at our winery in exceptional condition: Sauvignon Blanc from Alexander Valley, hand-picked overnight to preserve its vibrant freshness and aromatics.
That first delivery marked the beginning of harvest — our favorite time of year, when the winery comes alive. Before dawn, vineyard crews harvest fruit at its peak while our cellar team carefully sorts, presses, and guides each lot on its journey to becoming wine. From vineyard to cellar, the energy of harvest is unmistakable, extending into our tasting room, where guests can experience the sights, sounds, and aromas of the season firsthand. There’s no better time to visit Sonoma Wine Country.
Be sure to follow us on social media to catch all the behind-the-scenes moments from harvest and day-to-day life here at the winery and tasting room.
Not Just Us: Sonoma County’s Earliest Harvest in Decades
St. Francis isn’t alone in celebrating an early start this year — 2026 is shaping up to be one of the earliest harvests Sonoma County has seen in at least 40 years. Growers across the region began picking weeks ahead of a typical year, with some vineyards in the Russian River Valley starting as early as mid-July.
An unusual weather pattern set the stage back in March, when unseasonably warm temperatures pushed the growing season ahead of schedule from budbreak onward. Cooler, windy, and rainy conditions during bloom then trimmed yields in many vineyards, and moderate summer temperatures with ample soil moisture kept the vines healthy through the stretch run. The result: a lighter crop, but one that growers across the county expect to deliver excellent concentration, structure, and character — the kind of vintage that rewards patience in the glass for years to come.
What Does an Early Harvest Actually Mean?
With our earliest harvest on record, there’s one question everyone is asking: what does an early harvest actually mean?
We asked Winemaker Chris Louton to share his perspective — how this milestone shapes the season ahead, and whether an early start means an early finish. Watch the reel to hear Chris’s insights and get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most exciting times of the year at St. Francis Winery.
Join Us This Harvest Season
There’s no better season to be in the vineyard than right now. Join us for a tasting or one of our upcoming Harvest Season Events and experience harvest for yourself. We can’t wait to share Vintage 2026 with you next year. Cheers!
