2017 Napa Harvest Is Here For Mumm Napa: Video Interview

First Napa Harvest for Mumm Later Than 2016

Mumm Napa harvest vineyard workers just after sunrise. On The Wine Siren

The Napa harvest is one of the most exciting times of the year where I live. I’m perched above the Napa River, sitting on the second floor of my writing nook listening to the somewhat irritating popping of the bird cannon in the distance. The cannons have been going off on the Napa side of Carneros for several weeks. This is a sure sign that véraison (the French term describing the ripening color of grapes) has arrived and the Napa harvest and fermentation are near. The grapes need to be protected from voracious birds. The most famous for their impact on the vineyards are starlings who migrate to Napa in time for véraison. Smart birds!  There you have it, the need for annoying bird cannons.

“This was probably the highest Napa rainfall on record.”

Napa Valley’s rainfall was unprecedented in 2016 and early 2017.  Record levels of rain and snow occurred in most of the northern California regions.  Good news for most as the drought was corrected.  Some saw limited damage from fallen trees, some erosion, but most vineyards did well because the wet weather departed before spring set in.

Pinot Meunier Grapes in Bin at Mumm Napa

This massive amount of rainfall was an indication to farmers to get to the vineyards as early as possible come spring. Not only would the vines have to be trellised, but if the farmers went in while it was still muddy there was a danger of root damage.  The roots of the vines while muddy would not yet had time to set.  The winter also foretold some of the challenges spring and summer would bring. With all of the nourishment the vines received from the rains, the result would be high maintenance vines with intense canopy growth.  Labor costs would be higher in the vineyards because pruning the vines would have to be done more frequently to allow the fruit set to receive adequate sunlight.

“2017 is actually a very classic Napa Valley vintage.” 

On August 7th, 2017 at 6 am Mumm Napa began their first harvest of their Green Island Vineyards with their prized Pinot Meunier.  This is a celebratory experience for everyone at Mumm. From the recognition of those departed and instrumental in Mumm Napa success since the 70’s to the weighing of the grapes and the sabering of champagne, this is a big deal. The first of 19 tons of Pinot Meunier grapes arrived from their Green Island Vineyard where it is harvested for their sparkling.

(VIDEO) Winemaker, Ludovic Dervin of Mumm Napa on the 2017 Harvest

A big part of the team is present on site at Mumm Napa waiting for the impending arrival of the first grapes this first day of harvest. We met with Mumm winemaker, Ludo Dervin to ask him some questions about this unprecedented year. This harvest is an exciting one for many reasons. Napa has sustained some of the most difficult drought conditions in recent history and 2016-2017  held an unprecedented year of rainfall. The drought conditions have been abated that the concern for money especially those not so well experienced in farming was white with all this water the rainfall, and the flooding due to the vines and the Vineyards.

“Mumm is the French heritage. We emulate the same winemaking techniques that Champagne Mumm does in France“.

Bottles of Mumm Napa ready for Harvest celebration

Dervin says, “The rains occurred at precisely the right time and they stopped when we needed them too.”  The maintenance of the vineyards was double or maybe even triple what they had experienced in the past.  He added, “The fruit came out fantastic this year. Very well-balanced and also showing great signs of acidity in this Napa harvest.

Recent Post

Kelly Mitchell on Instagram

When great viticulture is an obsession you chose wisely and well. @vitnerd for @lecole41 on sustainability, great viticulture and award winning passion for vines.

WATCH WITH LINK IN BIO: SADIE DRURY - VINEYARD MANAGER
Sadie Drury is a Walla Walla native who has been passionate about agriculture since her first job of picking strawberries at the age of 12. In 2007, Sadie decided to combine her passion for agriculture with her love for wine by attending the Center for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College and pursuing a career in viticulture. In 2008, Sadie started an internship at Ciel du Cheval Vineyard where she moved up the ranks to Assistant Vineyard Manager. Sadie joined the North Slope Management team in early 2013 and took over the reins as GM later that year. She currently manages 6 vineyards including the famed Seven Hills Vineyard. Sadie is the current Chair for the Washington State Wine Commission. She is the 2019 Power’s Sabbatical Recipient, the 2020 Washington Winegrowers Erick Hanson Memorial Grower of the Year, and a 2021 Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker.

#WashingtonWine #WallaWalla #lecole #Viticulture #sustainable #Sustainability #Vine #winelover #DrinkSustainable #TheWineSiren #SevenHills #wineeducation

https://www.youtube.com/live/PiWKkhnre94
...

From Carcassonne to Montpelier the beauty of @paysdocigpwines shines through. I`ll share more on my newest discoveries when I`m back in the US . ...

The bar @hotelricherdebelleval .... incredible. Have you been?!

#winetravel #winetraveler #thewinesiren #kellymitchell #wine #winelover #ginlover #barsofinstagram #beautifuldestinations #wheretofindme #france #montpellier #justdrinks #cocktailtime
...

Subscribe Today

2017 Napa Harvest Is Here For Mumm Napa: Video Interview

2 Responses

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Contact

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter

Learn about new products, wine travel tips and the latest on wine, food and fab.