Happy New Year!
All of us here at River Road Family Vineyards and Winery would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! As we close out the year, we’re reflecting with gratitude and excitement on the 2025 grape harvest—a season that will stand out as one of the most distinctive and rewarding we’ve experienced in Sonoma County. The harvest unfolded at a swift and focused pace, reminding us just how dynamic and unpredictable each vintage can be.
While vineyards entered the season ripening at different rates, everything aligned beautifully as the end of September approached. Once harvest began, the fruit came in with remarkable consistency, allowing us to move efficiently through the vineyards and bring in grapes at optimal maturity. The compressed nature of the harvest required long days and careful coordination, but the payoff was evident in the quality of the fruit.
What truly defined the 2025 vintage was the character of the growing season itself—especially in the Russian River Valley. Spring progressed moderately, setting the foundation for healthy canopies and balanced vine growth. Summer followed with unusually cool conditions, highlighted by a persistently cold, fog-laden July—one of the coolest on record.
A picture of the signature Russian River Valley Fog over the Estate Vineyard from earlier this year.
The vines benefited from extended hang time and slow, even ripening. With no major heat events through late summer and into harvest, we were able to pick deliberately and thoughtfully. The fruit arrived at the winery showing vibrant natural acidity, excellent concentration, and exceptional balance. These conditions allowed vineyard sites to speak clearly, capturing a sense of place that we’re especially proud of. As the wines now rest in cellar, the promise of the 2025 vintage is already evident. We expect wines defined by precision, freshness, and elegance—an authentic expression of a cool-climate year in Sonoma County. Looking back, the 2025 harvest was not only a success in the vineyard and winery, but a reminder of why we’re so fortunate to farm and craft wines in this remarkable region.
Looking Ahead
As we enter the New Year, I’m feeling especially thankful for the great year we had at the winery and in the vineyard. With another harvest behind us, this quieter time of year gives us an opportunity to reflect, regroup, and begin preparing for the growing season ahead. Winter may appear calm on the surface, but it’s one of the most important times for setting the stage for the year to come. Over the coming weeks, our focus shifts back to essential vineyard maintenance. We’ll be taking advantage of the clear sightlines to replace old and damaged trellis stakes and closely evaluate other infrastructure while everything is fully visible.
If you look closely in the picture, you can see the end pole, the trellis stakes and also the trellis wires. These items are key in providing the support structure to grow healthy vines.
This behind-the-scenes work may not be glamorous, but it plays a critical role in vine health, safety, and fruit quality. We’re also preparing to begin pruning, a vital step that helps “reset” the vines and guide their growth heading into spring. If the weather turns especially rainy—as we hope it will—pruning may begin in February instead. No matter the season or time of year, there’s always important work underway as we continue our commitment to growing the best grapes possible and crafting the best wines that we can!
The entire team at River Road Family Vineyards and Winery, we wish you all continued good health!
Be Well,
