california wine harvest photos
Pickers working in Ridge Vineyards' Lytton Springs Zinfandel vines, Sonoma County.
(Image credit: Leigh-Ann Beverley, 2016)

Our pick of the best photos capturing the action of the 2016 wine harvest in California, including Napa Valley and Sonoma County.

A selection of pictures showing the early mornings, long days and late nights involved in grape harvesting.

See who’s bringing in the grapes in the 2016 California wine harvest.

Comparing Chardonnay grapes from Robert Young Estate vineyards, Alexander Valley
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Comparing Chardonnay grapes from Robert Young Estate vineyards, Alexander Valley

Credit: Robert Young Estate Instagram

Nocturnal Pinot Noir grape harvesting at Valdez Family’s vineyards, Sonoma Coast
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Nocturnal Pinot Noir grape harvesting at Valdez Family’s vineyards, Sonoma Coast

Credit: Angelica Valdez

Gewurztraminer grapeskins in the truck bed at Gundlach Bundschu’s Winery, Sonoma County
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Gewurztraminer grapeskins in the truck bed at Gundlach Bundschu’s Winery, Sonoma County

Credit: Elaine Elwick Barr Instagram

Pouring Zinfandel into oak barrels at Mauritson Winery, Dry Creek Valley
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Pouring Zinfandel into oak barrels at Mauritson Winery, Dry Creek Valley

Credit: Brittany Elyse Hodges Instagram

Hillside harvest at Shafer Vineyards, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Hillside harvest at Shafer Vineyards, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

Credit: Erin Malone/Lightspeed Films

Chardonnay grapes being processed at Jordan Winery, Alexander Valley
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Chardonnay grapes being processed at Jordan Winery, Alexander Valley

Credit: Kendall Busby

Winemaker Tom Meadowcroft harvesting Viogner grapes at Meadowcroft Wine’s vineyards, Dry Creek Valley
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Winemaker Tom Meadowcroft harvesting Viogner grapes at Meadowcroft Wine’s vineyards, Dry Creek Valley

Credit: Meadowcroft Wines

Harvest of Chateau Diana’s Flagpole Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Harvest of Chateau Diana’s Flagpole Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

Credit: Chateau Diana Winery Instagram

Workers hand sorting Chardonnay grapes at Hanzell Vineyards, Sonoma County
(Image credit: Hanzell Vineyards Facebook)

Workers hand sorting Chardonnay grapes at Hanzell Vineyards, Sonoma County

Credit: Hanzell Vineyards Facebook

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes left in contact with their skins before pressing at Dane Cellars’ vineyards, Sonoma Valley
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes left in contact with their skins before pressing at Dane Cellars’ vineyards, Sonoma Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes left in contact with their skins before pressing at Dane Cellars' vineyards, Sonoma Valley.

Wine poured over Sauvignon Blanc grapes at Stag’s Leap Cellar’s winery, Napa Valley
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Wine poured over Sauvignon Blanc grapes at Stag’s Leap Cellar’s winery, Napa Valley

Credit: Jessica Pecota @jezebelmedia

Barbera grapes at Bella Luna Winery, Paso Robles
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Barbera grapes at Bella Luna Winery, Paso Robles

Pickers working in Ridge Vineyards' Lytton Springs Zinfandel vines, Sonoma County.

Cabernet Sauvignon harvest at Joseph Phelps’ Backus Vineyard, St Helena
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Cabernet Sauvignon harvest at Joseph Phelps’ Backus Vineyard, St Helena

Credit: Joseph Phelps Vineyards Instagram (Matt Morris)

Pinot Noir harvesting at Iron Horse Vineyards, Green Valley, Sonoma County
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Pinot Noir harvesting at Iron Horse Vineyards, Green Valley, Sonoma County

Credit: Laurence Sterling

Pinot Noir harvest at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Sonoma County
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Pinot Noir harvest at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Sonoma County

Credit: Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Viognier grape harvesting at Cass Vineyard, Paso Robles
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Viognier grape harvesting at Cass Vineyard, Paso Robles

Credit: Charles Roberts

Laura Seal
Laura Seal
Decanter Magazine, Food, Wine & Travel Writer

Laura Seal is a freelance food, wine and travel writer based in London, but travelling regularly to Spain.

Besides writing travel guides, learning content and news stories for Decanter, she has also contributed to Country Life and US-based Food&Wine Magazine.

After graduating from UCL with an English Literature & Language degree in 2016, she joined Decanter as editorial and digital assistant. In 2017 she was promoted to the role of content creator on the digital team.

She worked with the Decanter design team to produce the much-loved ‘Tasting Notes Decoded’ series, which is published on Decanter.com and serialised in the magazine.

In addition, she compiles the 'A month in wine' feature for Decanter Magazine and formerly worked on MarketWatch.