Over the next several months, Napa Valley Vintners will expand its marketing efforts to provide even more opportunities for consumers to discover Napa Valley wines. As part of NVV’s strategic marketing initiative, the organization is bringing 180 member wineries to key and emerging markets to reach new audiences and help ensure wine is top of mind.
In total, the market work will give wineries the chance to engage with more than 5,000 consumers and more than 400 trade members. These events will be supported by targeted media campaigns that amplify Napa Valley’s message before and after each program. Following each visit, consumers will be directed to opportunities to purchase wines they enjoyed directly from participating wineries.
“Today, consumers have more choices than ever, so it’s important that we get out there and create opportunities for people to taste and experience wine,” said Stacey Dolan Capitani, Vice President of Marketing for Napa Valley Vintners.
Already this year, NVV member wineries have promoted their wines through the organization’s nearly 200 marketing programs, connecting with more than 13,000 consumers and nearly 200 trade professionals to date.
For one vintner, connections made at an event earlier this year led to more opportunities for her winery.
“At the Dover Hall event we secured a few new trade accounts and a country club wine dinner. We also met new DTC customers. After the country club event, a group of their members came out to visit us in Napa Valley. Good things lead to more good things,” said Stephanie Douglas, Owner, Aratas Wine.
Highlights of the upcoming schedule include:
Opening Doors in the Caribbean
For the first time, NVV will lead a group of Napa Valley wineries to the Bahamas and Puerto Rico. Through masterclasses and conversations with vintners, more than 100 trade professionals will explore Napa Valley’s wines and discover more selections to share with their customers.
Leveraging Industry Partners to Reach New Audiences and Create Direct Sales Opportunities
At the end of October, NVV members will travel to three Texas cities to share their wines with culinary enthusiasts and wine-loving audiences. The capstone event is The Napa Valley Wine Experience put on by the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation, created specifically for NVV and its members wineries. NVV is also working with industry partners to extend the reach of the visit and help generate a buzz for Napa Valley wines.
In Southern California, Napa Valley will have a significant presence at the San Diego Food + Wine Festival, followed later in the week by a wine gathering at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa.
Throughout Chicago, wineries will take part in tastings, a consumer masterclass and a food and wine pairing event with Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants. Making the trip to Chicago alongside the wineries is Napa Valley’s own Mustards Grill, emphasizing Napa Valley as a wine and food epicenter in the US.
The Largest Gathering of NVV Member Wineries Outside of Napa Valley
In January, vintners will take part in a trade tasting in Miami followed by Artisans of Wine & Food in Boca Raton that includes a lineup of more than 30 signature events. The gathering brings more than 100 Napa Valley wineries to Florida. Wineries will participate in intimate vintner-hosted dinners, daytime sports and game tournaments and a showstopping gala headlined by chef David Burke.
The first grapes destined for sparkling wine have arrived at the crush pad in Napa Valley, signaling the start of the 2026 harvest. While harvest marks the beginning of another vintage, it also transforms Napa Valley into one of the most exciting destinations where visitors can experience winemaking in real time.
Harvest Begins
Sparkling wine grapes are among the first to be brought in each year to preserve the bright acidity and freshness that define great sparkling wines. Round Pond Estate kicked off this year’s harvest with six and a half tons from their Rutherford, CA estate vineyard on Tuesday, July 21. For Round Pond Estate’s winemaker Jeff Plant, timing is everything.
“We are looking for the stars to align. We need acid, sugar and flavor to all be in sync at the exact same moment,” said Plant. “Sparkling is arguably the most difficult pick to call because your pick window is so tight.”
This year’s first pick is earlier than usual, but not far off of the 2015 harvest which began on July 22, 2015. Fruit for Mumm Napa and Schramsberg will soon follow, both with picks planned on Thursday, July 23. Tami Lotz, winemaker at Mumm, said “The fruit is looking and tasting great!”
Those who have not begun are getting ready. Among many other countless preparations, the team at OVID Napa Valley is focused on finishing the 2025 blends before the first grapes arrive .
Niki Williams, winemaker at Cakebread Cellars has been sampling Sauvignon Blanc blocks three weeks sooner than last year “to make sure Brix levels don’t sneak up on us.” She predicts their first Sauvignon Blanc will come in July 29-31.
Experience Harvest Firsthand
Vineyards and wineries come alive with the sights, sounds and aromas of the season as grapes arrive from the vineyard, fermentation begins and another Napa Valley vintage starts to take shape.
Throughout harvest, wineries welcome guests with grape stomps, vineyard experiences, winemaker dinners and other special events that capture the excitement of the season.
Whether joining PEJU’s Harvest Festival & Grape Stomp , celebrating One Harvest, Many Stories with Battuello Vineyards, MTGA Wines and Hunter Glenn, or attending one of many other events, visitors have an opportunity to experience Napa Valley during its most dynamic season.
A full calendar of events can be found at NapaValley.wine .
Follow the 2026 Vintage
Throughout the year, Napa Valley Vintners share updates from vineyards and wineries across the valley, including observations, milestones, winemaker perspectives and behind-the-scenes stories that capture the spirit of harvest.
Follow the 2026 Napa Valley vintage at HarvestNapa.com .
As the pace builds, Napa Valley’s winegrowing community will once again come together to shape another vintage, one vineyard block at a time.
Wine Enthusiasts Show Up in a Big Way at Auction Napa Valley
6/8/2025- Saint Helena, CA - The incredible results from this year's Auction Napa Valley came to a stunning close on Saturday night. With passionate
Bidding Opens for Napa Valley Barrel Auction, Featuring Exceptional 2023 Vintage Wines
June 3, 2025 (St. Helena, CA) -- The Napa Valley Barrel Auction opens for online bidding Tuesday, June 3 at 9 a.m. PT, offering wine lovers worldwide
Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) announces the next installment of the “Why Wine?” campaign, a movement dedicated to celebrating the authentic story of wine. With consumer preferences rapidly evolving and new competition emerging in the marketplace, the campaign focuses on uniting the industry to ensure wine remains an essential part of a modern, healthy lifestyle.
NVV launched the initiative in summer of 2024. To encourage more involvement and the continuation of the campaign, dozens of “Why Wine?” videos were captured at the Premiere Napa Valley wine auction in February. Industry members shared their personal stories and insights about what makes wine so special. These heartfelt videos are now available for viewing on YouTube at the Why Wine Video Playlist. Also attending Premiere Napa Valley was podcaster Ray Fister of Life Between the Vines who asked the question, “Why is wine important?” to guests and winemakers at the event.
The “Why Wine?” campaign highlights the exceptional craftsmanship, passion and dedication that goes into every bottle. From the storied history to the artistry of winemaking, the movement emphasizes the distinctive process that elevates wine beyond just a beverage.
“The wine industry has always thrived as a close-knit community with shared values. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial for us to come together to secure the future of wine. In addition to ‘Why Wine?’, we are also excited to support similar initiatives, such as Come Over October and Share and Pair Sundays, that help bring wine to the forefront of consumers’ minds,” said Stacey Dolan Capitani, Vice President of Marketing at Napa Valley Vintners.
In addition to Napa Valley wineries taking part, a wide range of participants have included wineries such as Bruliam Wines in Sonoma County, CA, BACA Wines in Healdsburg, CA and McPrice Myers Wines in Paso Robles, CA; wine writers Karen MacNeil, Jonathan Cristaldi, Madeline Puckette and Maria Hunt; wine business leaders Nick Pegna of Sotheby’s, Gary Fisch of Gary’s Wine & Marketplace and Jonathan Feiler from The Boca Raton; wine personalities Somm Vivant – Amanda McCrossin, Attorney Somm – John Jackson and Cellar Mouse – Rachel Dickinson; and wine media companies Wine Likes App and Colangelo & Partners.
The “Why Wine?” campaign aims to ensure wine remains a staple in the homes and hearts of people everywhere. Wineries, winegrowers, industry partners and wine enthusiasts who take part can help inspire both new and experienced wine drinkers to discover why wine is truly unique among beverages.
For more information and to support “Why Wine?”, visit napavalley.wine/why-wine.
Napa Neighbor Program Provides Exclusive Offers to All California Residents in January
12/19/2024- Saint Helena, CA - Napa Valley, one of the top travel destinations in the United States, is now offering all California residents the chance