Harvest is always the most exciting time of year at Gloria Ferrer, and I’m thrilled to share that we are now halfway through the 2025 season. This year is particularly special, as it marks our first fully certified organic harvest across all of our estate vineyards — a milestone that speaks to years of dedication from our vineyard and winemaking teams.
So far, we’ve brought in 440 tons of Pinot Noir and 115 tons of Chardonnay from our Carneros estate, along with 10 tons of Chenin Blanc sourced from Mendocino. Every pick represents countless hours of care in the vineyard, and I couldn’t be more proud of the quality we’re seeing.
The 2025 Vintage: A Season of Structure and Balance
This year’s cool weather has given us beautifully balanced acids and higher natural structure, the kind of conditions that result in wines with both vibrancy and remarkable aging potential. Pinot Noir is showing deep concentration and complexity, Chardonnay is crisp and precise, and the Chenin Blanc — a variety we’re excited to bring into our sparkling program — is already shining with lively character.
All signs point to an age-worthy vintage that will stand among Carneros’ most memorable.
The Road Ahead
We expect to complete sparkling harvest in the next five days, followed by four to six days of still wine picking. These final days are always some of the most intense and rewarding, as timing becomes everything and the energy of the season reaches its peak.
Looking Forward: New Wines on the Horizon
This harvest will also lay the foundation for several exciting new wines:
- Fog Stream – a new single-vineyard sparkling wine that captures the essence of Carneros fog and terroir.
- Chenin Blanc Sparkling – made with Mendocino fruit, adding a fresh, lively new dimension to our sparkling portfolio.
- Barrica – the return of a crowd favorite, bringing barrel-aged depth and character.
These wines embody our balance of heritage and innovation, pushing us to explore new expressions while staying true to the tradition of méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine.
The Human Side of Harvest
Of course, harvest isn’t only about fruit and fermentations — it’s also about the people who make it possible. Our leadership team has stayed fueled with:
- 106 cups of coffee
- 42 cans of Mountain Dew
- 14 pounds of burritos
- 167 miles walked across our estate vineyards
It’s a reminder that harvest is as much about teamwork and spirit as it is about grapes and tanks.
Closing Thoughts
As I look across our cellar filled with fermenting wines, I can say with confidence that 2025 will be a vintage to remember. The combination of certified organic farming, ideal growing conditions, and the creativity of our winemaking team points to wines that will showcase the very best of Gloria Ferrer.
Thank you for following along with us this harvest. I look forward to sharing more as we bring in the final fruit — and to raising a glass together when these wines are ready to be enjoyed.
-Melanie Schafer
General Manager, Gloria Ferrer Winery
