At the top of the Napa Valley, winter brings a quieter rhythm to our estate vineyards in Calistoga. The hills soften to winter green, mornings arrive with a gentle fog, and our Cabernet Sauvignon vines enter one of the most important—yet least visible—phases of their annual cycle: dormancy. Today we are enjoying some incredible light rain and are just seeing the first signs of mustard blooms.
While the vineyard may look at rest, there is meaningful work happening both above and below the soil.
A Necessary Pause
Dormancy begins after harvest, once the leaves fall and the vines conserve their energy for the season ahead. With no fruit to ripen and no canopy to maintain, the vine shifts its focus inward. This rest period is essential. It allows the plant to recover from the demands of the growing season and prepare for the growth to come in spring.
Above ground, the vineyard appears still. Below ground, however, the roots remain active—quietly absorbing nutrients and storing energy that will fuel bud break in just a few short months.
Winter Weather Matters
Here in Calistoga, winter rainfall plays a crucial role in replenishing groundwater and restoring soil moisture after the dry summer months. These rains help nourish the vines naturally and set the stage for balanced growth once the weather warms.
Cool temperatures are also important. A proper winter chill helps regulate the vine’s internal clock, encouraging even and healthy bud break in spring—something especially important for Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives on consistency and balance.
Setting the Stage for the Vintage
Dormant season is also when our vineyard team prepares for the year ahead. Pruning decisions are carefully considered, as they will determine how much fruit the vine produces and how that fruit ripens. Every cut is intentional, shaping not just the coming season, but the long-term health of the vine itself.
This quieter time in the vineyard is foundational. While it may lack the excitement of harvest or the beauty of spring growth, dormancy is where great vintages truly begin.
As winter gives way to longer days and warmer mornings, the vines will soon awaken—refreshed, balanced, and ready to tell the next chapter of the vintage story.