Twenty Vintages in the Making: Harvest 2026 Begins
A Milestone 20th Harvest Begins
Every vintage adds a new chapter to our story, shaped by the land and the extraordinary people who bring it to life.
There is something unmistakably exciting about the first day of harvest. After months of tending the vines, watching the weather, and waiting for the fruit to reach just the right moment, the first bins of freshly picked grapes finally make their way to the winery.
It is a moment filled with anticipation every year—but this one feels especially meaningful. Harvest 2026 marks the beginning of our 20th vintage at Grassini Family Vineyards.
Twenty vintages. Twenty growing seasons, each with its own personality, challenges, and rewards. Over the years, we have watched our vineyard and wines evolve while remaining rooted in the same place, the same values, and the same commitment to crafting wines that reflect this special corner of the Santa Ynez Valley. Every vintage has added a new chapter to our story, shaped by the extraordinary people who bring it to life.
A Blessing for the Harvest Ahead
More than a decade ago, our winemaker, Bradley Long, began one of our favorite harvest traditions: the “Blessing of the Grapes.”
Each year, when the first half-ton bin of Sauvignon Blanc reaches the winery, our family and production team gather around it with Champagne flutes in hand. Bradley offers a heartfelt blessing, recognizing the months of dedication from our vineyard crew and the careful preparation required to ready the winery for harvest. Everyone then pours a splash of bubbly over the grapes to welcome the new vintage.
It is informal, joyful, and distinctly Grassini.
This year, our family gathered with Bradley and our Assistant Winemaker, Tyler Bailey, to mark the beginning of our 20th vintage—a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the harvests that brought us here and the people who have shared in the journey.
A Meaningful Pause
Harvest is among the most exhilarating times of year, but it is also one of the most demanding. Once the fruit begins arriving, the pace changes almost instantly. Decisions must be made quickly, and the winery hums with constant activity.
That is part of what makes the Blessing of the Grapes so meaningful. In the midst of one of the busiest periods of the year, Bradley brings everyone together to pause and express gratitude for the land, the fruit, and the people standing beside us. Harvest has always been a collective effort, and the blessing gives us a chance to acknowledge that camaraderie before the season begins in earnest.
Celebrating the Past and Looking Ahead
Reaching our 20th vintage gives us a special reason to reflect, but harvest is always an exercise in looking forward. The grapes arriving today are only at the beginning of their journey. In the months and years ahead, they will slowly become wines that capture the character of this growing season and preserve a moment in the history of our estate.
That is one of the most remarkable things about wine: every bottle connects us to a specific place and time. The vintages already resting in our cellars tell the story of where we have been, while the newly harvested fruit offers the first glimpse of what comes next.
We do not yet know exactly what the 2026 vintage will become. That will unfold gradually through fermentation, blending, aging, and countless decisions along the way. For now, we are simply grateful to welcome it.
As we raise our glasses to Harvest No. 20, we do so with tremendous appreciation for everyone who has been part of the Grassini story over the past two decades—from our family, vineyard, winemaking, and hospitality teams to the members and guests who have welcomed our wines into their homes and celebrations.
Twenty harvests later, the arrival of that first bin still feels every bit as exciting.
Here’s to Harvest 2026, to the people who make it possible, and to the next chapter waiting to be written.