CHANDON California’s Earliest Harvest:

Our 2026 Napa Valley Sparkling Wine Story


At CHANDON California, the 2026 harvest has begun with a milestone unlike any in our history: our earliest first pick in 53 years of winemaking in Napa Valley.

On July 24, 2026, we officially started our sparkling wine harvest, bringing in 30 tons of Chardonnay from our Yountville estate. For us, this is more than a record-breaking date. It is a defining moment in our ongoing journey of crafting exceptional Napa Valley sparkling wine and responding thoughtfully to the changing conditions of each growing season.

A Historic Start

to Harvest inNapa Valley

This year’s harvest began earlier than any other in CHANDON California’s history, surpassing our previous earliest start of August 3, set in 2021. Only two other Napa vintages, 2014 and 2015, began in July.


Our 2026 growing season was shaped by dramatic shifts in weather. An extremely warm March accelerated bud break, while a cooler April and an unusually wet spring that extended into June created a more complex path to harvest. These conditions brought additional weed and disease pressure in the vineyard and required us to stay agile in every decision we made.


For our sparkling wine grapes, however, there was encouraging news. While Napa Valley experienced significant wind and rain during Cabernet Sauvignon flowering, our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were largely spared, resulting in a better fruit set for the core varieties that define CHANDON sparkling wine.

A Historic Start

to Harvest inNapa Valley

This year’s harvest began earlier than any other in CHANDON California’s history, surpassing our previous earliest start of August 3, set in 2021. Only two other Napa vintages, 2014 and 2015, began in July.


Our 2026 growing season was shaped by dramatic shifts in weather. An extremely warm March accelerated bud break, while a cooler April and an unusually wet spring that extended into June created a more complex path to harvest. These conditions brought additional weed and disease pressure in the vineyard and required us to stay agile in every decision we made.


For our sparkling wine grapes, however, there was encouraging news. While Napa Valley experienced significant wind and rain during Cabernet Sauvignon flowering, our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were largely spared, resulting in a better fruit set for the core varieties that define CHANDON sparkling wine.

What an Early Harvest Means for Our Sparkling Wine


In sparkling winemaking, harvest timing is everything. Picking early helps us preserve the freshness, brightness, and natural acidity that are essential to the style of our wines.

That is why the 2026 Napa Valley harvest is so significant. It reflects not only the pace of the season, but also the precision required to make high-quality sparkling wine in California. Every decision in the vineyard matters, especially in a year shaped by rapid weather changes and a compressed growing timeline.

We are seeing good fruit quality in 2026, though yields are lower than initially anticipated, down approximately 15 to 20 percent. Smaller cluster weights are contributing to the lighter crop, but the quality of the fruit remains promising as we begin this year’s sparkling harvest.

Sustainability in the Vineyard


Our early harvest story is also a story of resilience in the vineyard. This year, CHANDON was freshly recertified across all of our regenerative farming programs, including Regenified, Napa Green, California Sustainable, Fish Friendly Farming, and Bee Friendly Farming.


These certifications reflect our long-term commitment to soil health, biodiversity, and responsible farming in Napa Valley. In a season marked by unusual weather patterns, we see these efforts as essential to maintaining healthy vines and supporting the future of sparkling wine production in California.


And of course, our vineyard ecosystem includes some beloved members of the team. Our sheep have been part of our growing season for eight years, and this winter we welcomed eight baby lambs at our Carneros ranch. They remain a joyful and meaningful part of how we care for the land.

Adapting to a New Winemaking Reality


The 2026 harvest is a reminder that winemaking in California continues to evolve. As our winemaker Pauline Lhote has said, climate change keeps us on our toes. Each vintage asks something different of us, and each season calls for observation, adaptability, and care.

At CHANDON California, we embrace that challenge with curiosity and conviction. Our earliest harvest is not simply a record. It is a reflection of the precision, resilience, and vineyard stewardship behind every bottle of CHANDON Napa Valley sparkling wine.

As this year’s harvest continues, we remain focused on what matters most: listening to the land, responding to the season, and crafting sparkling wines that express both freshness and place.

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