Monterey County winegrape harvest kicks off early in 2026

The 2026 winegrape harvest in Monterey County's Santa Lucia Highlands began weeks ahead of schedule, with growers reporting one of the earliest starts on record. Caraccioli Cellars harvested eight tons of Pinot Noir at the Escolle Vineyard, noting, "This is the earliest harvest at Escolle Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands in 21 vintages, running about three to four weeks ahead of schedule." Scheid Vineyards also started its harvest at the Isabelle Vineyard, stating the pick arrived "nearly two weeks ahead of any previous harvest." Winemaker Ian Brand of I Brand Wines collected over a ton of Melon de Bourgogne at Graff Farmhouse Vineyard, attributing the acceleration to a mild winter and warm spring that pushed budbreak and ripening forward. The early harvest is expected to yield a strong vintage for both sparkling and still wines in the region.