“Even though the crop is lighter this year everything that we’re seeing in the cellar points toward a truly special vintage. The fruit has exceptional intensity while maintaining freshness and structure. That’s exactly what we hope to see in the fruit we bring in.” -John Duckett, Winemaker
The 2026 harvest reminded us that no two growing seasons are ever alike. That’s part of what makes farming, and winemaking, so rewarding. And while this year’s harvest may have arrived ahead of schedule, some things are worth waiting for. Here’s to the 2026 vintage. We can’t wait to share it with you.A Harvest Ahead of Its Time: Trione’s 2026 Vintage
An early start, a lighter crop, and plenty of reasons to be excited about what’s to come.
Every harvest tells a different story, and the 2026 vintage is certainly one with lots of twists and turns. Across Sonoma County, grape growers experienced one of the earliest harvests in recent memory, with smaller yields, beautiful fruit, and a growing sense of anticipation for the wines to come.
A Growing Season That Kept Us Guessing
The story began in early March, when unusually warm temperatures encouraged the vines to wake from their winter dormancy ahead of schedule. Budbreak arrived early, setting the stage for an accelerated growing season.
But Mother Nature had a few surprises in store. As the vines entered bloom, cooler temperatures, wind, and rain interrupted pollination and reduced fruit set. The result was fewer clusters and smaller berries across many Sonoma County vineyards.
Fortunately, summer brought a welcome stretch of moderate temperatures. Without prolonged heat spikes, the grapes had ideal conditions to develop flavor, color, and balanced acidity. With fewer grapes competing for the vines’ energy, ripening progressed quickly, bringing harvest several weeks ahead of the usual schedule.
An Early Start at Trione
At Trione, harvest officially kicked off on July 31 with Pinot Noir from our Russian River Valley estate vineyards, destined for our Rosé of Pinot Noir. It was our earliest start to harvest on record and a fitting beginning to an extraordinary vintage.
From the cooler vineyards of Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast to the warmer hillsides of Alexander Valley, each of our estate vineyards has its own personality and ripening schedule.
Throughout harvest, Vineyard Manager Kris Hicks and Winemaker John Duckett worked closely together, monitoring the development of each block and determining the ideal moment to pick. With an unusually early season and lighter crop loads, careful observation and thoughtful timing were especially important.
It’s a philosophy we’ve always believed in: great wine begins in the vineyard.
Less Fruit, Plenty of Promise
While 2026 may be remembered for its early arrival, the smaller crop is another defining characteristic. Sonoma County Winegrowers estimates that yields across the region were approximately 35–40% below average.
For farming families, lighter yields bring challenges. But from a winemaking perspective, smaller berries and lower crop loads can also offer exciting possibilities. Concentrated flavors, vibrant color, and promising structure are among the qualities growers and winemakers have reported throughout the region.
Of course, every vintage must ultimately prove itself in the cellar, but the early indications give us plenty to look forward to.
The Next Chapter Begins
With the last grapes picked and safely tucked into the winery, the pace may have slowed in the vineyards, but the work is far from over.
Fermentations, barrel aging, and countless decisions in the cellar will help shape the wines of 2026 over the months and years ahead. Under John’s thoughtful, minimal-intervention approach, the goal remains the same: allow each vineyard and varietal to express its own distinctive character.
