Vintage Notes The New Year began with storms that brought high winds and heavy rains to the valley, but precipitation soon became scarce and for the second year in a row, Napa Valley received little more than 60 percent of its normal rainfall. Spring was one of the driest on record. Warm spring days resulted in early bud break, and the persistent frigid, dry air during the nights created conditions for the longest frost period in decades. Then within the same week frost threat was at its greatest, a multi-day heat spike sent daytime temperatures into the triple digits just as the vines were beginning to flower and set fruit. After the fruit set, fewer clusters with smaller berries appeared with cooler temperatures, harvest started just a little ahead of normal due to the early vine development in the spring. Harvest was condensed with low crop yields.
