The Oak Journal 8 Harvest Tips from Our Winemaking Team That Also Apply to Life
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Behind the Scenes

8 Harvest Tips from Our Winemaking Team That Also Apply to Life

The tanks are scrubbed, the winery equipment tested (and re-tested). Pristine, power-washed grape bins line the end of the crush pad, quietly waiting for Cabernet Sauvignon clusters. Eager interns, brimming with fresh energy and enthusiasm, learn the ropes from an experienced winemaking team. And in the kitchen, cabinets are stocked to the max with enough coffee and snacks to feed a small army.

All systems are “go” for harvest.

We sat down with our winemaking team to talk about how they get ready for harvest, the late August-to-October season when grapes are picked and crushed. The period is known for its long hours and days, when vineyard and winemaking teams often work seven days a week at Mother Nature’s beck and call. And yet, as Vice President of Winegrowing Nate Weis shares, it’s the time of year he looks forward to the most. A time that is exhilarating and filled with an infectious energy.

Whether you’re preparing to pick grapes (we’re guessing no) or getting ready for an especially busy season in work or life, the team’s harvest insights will get you in the right frame of mind to knock your go-time out of the park.

  1. Find the Fun.

    “Harvest is intense and demands a lot of the team. It is critically important to find time and space for fun,” says our Napa Valley Winemaker Laura Oskwarek. “Gathering for lunch, a beer at the end of a long shift or a themed dress-up day gives everyone something to look forward to and builds traditions that can spark joy for years to come.”

  2. Learn to be flexible.

    Those grapes that looked like they were coming in three days? They’re ready now. Have contingency plans (and staff!) in place to keep up with unexpected changes.

  3. Accept things that are out of your control.

    In our world, you can stress about the weather—but that’s time and energy wasted.

    “You have to trust and believe that you can handle whatever nature throws at you,” says former Silver Oak Alexander Valley winemaker Christiane Schleussner. “Pace yourself, get enough sleep and remember: Harvest is a marathon, not a sprint.”

  4. Be decisive when needed.

    Communicate quickly and easily with your team. A five-minute meeting is all you need to get everyone set for the day. (Pre-planning is key here. Make sure everyone has clearly delineated roles and responsibilities before things get busy.)

  5. Know when to punt.

    If something isn’t working, cut your losses and move on.

  6. Don’t let the “what ifs” get you.

    We’re in the educated guess business. Nothing is ever for certain. Be thorough, but don’t get caught in the weeds.

  7. Be spontaneous with family time.

    Time with the fam is precious. When you get that unexpected break, do something special. Treat the kids out to pizza, go see a movie or grab a quick date with your significant other.

  8. It takes time to wind down.

    “For three weeks after harvest, I’m the most efficient person ever,” Nate Weis says. “At work and at home, I can’t sit still and have to keep busy doing something.” Whether you’re hit by a burst of energy at the end of the season or ready to sleep for a week, expect it to take a few weeks for your body—and your life—to get back to “normal.”