Napa vintners report uneven fruit set in an unusually early 2026 season
At a 3 June gathering at Robert Mondavi Winery, Michael Scholz of St. Supéry described irregular flowering and some shatter, while Ric Forman reported sharply uneven Cabernet Sauvignon fruit set following rain and cold.
An early and uneven growing season
St. Supéry winemaker Michael Scholz said the 2026 season was exceptionally early: although May had only just ended, the vines looked closer to their usual state at the end of June. He described flowering as inconsistent and reported some shatter. Adverse weather during flowering can lead to shatter and affect crop size.1
Ric Forman also characterized 2026 as an unusual year. He said Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot were performing well, but Cabernet Sauvignon showed the most uneven fruit set he had seen since 2011. Some sections were healthy, while individual vines elsewhere carried no crop; he attributed the pattern to rain and cold during flowering.1
Crop expectations after 3 large vintages
Forman suggested that the reduced Cabernet Sauvignon crop might ultimately be beneficial because Napa could use a harvest that was not excessively abundant. His comment followed large crops in 2023, 2024 and 2025.1
The growing-season discussion took place at Wine Spectator’s Bring Your Own Magnum Party on 3 June 2026. Nearly 500 guests attended the celebration at the newly restored Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville. The tradition began in 1988 and serves as an unofficial opening to Auction Napa Valley weekend.1
A broad wine-community gathering
The event brought together winemakers and vintners from across California and visitors from France, Australia and Italy in support of the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation. Wine Spectator senior editor James Molesworth helped host. Caymus Vineyards owner Chuck Wagner noted that the wine business had been in a downturn for 3 years and called the restored Mondavi property an important asset for Napa Valley. Williams Selyem winemaker Jeff Mangahas emphasized the gathering’s sense of community across Napa and Sonoma, while Forman described fellow producers as colleagues rather than simply competitors.1
Napa attendees included Bill Harlan of Harlan Estate, Gina Gallo, Andy Beckstoffer, Beth Novak of Spottswoode, Larry Turley of Turley Cellars and Robin Lail. Jessica Thomason and Doug Marriott represented Napa Valley College, whose new Wine Spectator Wine Education Center was inaugurated in September 2025. Sonoma participants included Paul Hobbs; Tom and Eva Dehlinger, a father-and-daughter winemaking team; Paul and Emily Michael of Peter Michael; and screenwriter and vintner Robert Kamen. Piero Antinori and Renzo Cotarella attended on behalf of Antinori Napa Valley and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.1
The restored winery and its magnums
Guests toured the redesigned hospitality center, including indoor and outdoor areas overlooking gardens and the To Kalon vineyard. The new kitchen and culinary team served Sicilian tuna crudo, Dungeness crab bites, ricotta gnudi and beef short ribs with polenta. Collections of large-format bottles were presented at 4 wine stations throughout the property.1
The featured magnums included Mayacamas Chardonnay 1995, Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour 1999, Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 1976, J. Rochioli Vineyards Pinot Noir West Block 2017, Araujo Cabernet Eisele Vineyard 2005, and Shafer Hillside Select 2011 and 2016. Dry Creek Vineyard president Kim Stare Wallace brought the winery’s last remaining magnum of Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel 1974, one of the oldest bottles opened and the 2nd Zinfandel vintage produced by the Healdsburg winery. Hailey Hartford Murray, president of Hartford and part of Jackson Family Wines, said participants had searched their cellars for exceptional bottles rarely encountered elsewhere.1
Optimism amid industry strain
Alongside the 2026 growing season, the condition of the wine industry was a leading topic. Hartford Murray said the wine community remained enthusiastic about its ability to overcome current challenges.1
Paul Michael likewise said that everyone was feeling “a little pinch” but remained optimistic. The comments reflected an upbeat outlook despite the difficulties discussed at the event.1
Sources
Written by the Dionysus editors from the sources above.
