Each Autumn, Oregon’s wine country transforms into a stage for what many consider the most exciting act of the year, harvest. From late August through October, small teams of vineyard workers, cellar hands, and winemakers converge in a lively, determined race to bring in the fruit at just the right time. At its peak. Thus begins the journey that will eventually end in the bottle and on the table. A destination that is far from the vines, but still close to our hearts.
The Energy of the Harvest Season
The spirit in Oregon’s vineyards and wineries during harvest is almost electric. After months of watching forecasts and nurturing the vines, it’s finally time. There is a sense of release in harvest; this sense is matched by a surge in activity throughout the vineyard. Early mornings see crew members bundled against a crisp chill, preading through rows to pick grapes, clipping by hand for maximum quality. In some years, such as this one, harvest begins in September, while in other years, cooler weather pushes the start of harvest into October. Nature doesn’t give you a set schedule. You work on her time.
The sounds of harvest are unique. At any given moment throughout Harvest, you can expect to hear a litany of sounds from harvesters calling to one another, the snip of clippers over and over again, the mechanical rumble of forklifts, and the roaring engines of the next truck showing up to be loaded with grapes. The hours after picking are crucial at the winery. In a matter of just hours, grapes are picked and moved to the crush pad to begin the alchemy of wine. So while some may think that harvest is chaotic or noisy, the reality is that each of these sounds is a wonderful step in a wonderful process.
The Grapes and the Picking Process
For many of us, this is no surprise, but for those who are new to wine, Oregon is best known for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris. These are all grapes that thrive in the cool climate of the Willamette Valley and its mineral-rich soil. In 2025, the harvest began earlier than usual, thanks to a warm spring and mild summer. This weather pattern led to grapes this year having very concentrated flavors. Our team members here at Wetzel Estate have been working around the clock, from picking grapes before dawn to loading and unloading happening on the crush pad until 10 pm or sometimes even later.
If you show up at the winery during the harvest season, you can expect to hear all of the sounds mentioned above, you can expect to see hoses snaking across the floors and the across the ground outside. You’ll see bins being dumped, and you will smell freshly pressed juice everywhere here. It’s a unique experience that you’ll surely love.
It is also not surprising to learn that each vintage brings its own challenges to harvest. Weather can change in an instant
Harvest requires intense physical labor from every team member, and they all do so with care, knowing just how important each step is in the process of creating our delicious wines.
From Fermentation to Barrel
After primary fermentation, red wines are pressed and transferred to barrels, often French, Hungarian, and Czechoslovakian Oak barrels, but may also be German or American Oak. This is where they will rest and age to develop their taste complexities over the coming months.
It is at this point that the cellar quiets and a slower pace begins to take over. The work now switches focus to monitoring malolactic fermentation, topping barrels, and tasting for progress.
The Human Side of Harvest
Harvest brings together a wonderful collection of people here at Wetzel Estate Winery. Year-round winery and vineyard staff, seasonal harvest workers, winemaking interns, and even our tasting room staff work together to make harvest go as smoothly as possible.
These moments are filled with both exhaustion and exhilaration, but filled with a sense of shared purpose. To create the best wine and to capture a piece of the season in every bottle.
The Afterglow
If you have not yet witnessed a harvest, it is hard to imagine the intensity that it comes with. There is a reason that every new winery or vineyard worker will be given a warning about the chaos of Harvest. It is “The Big Show” after all. The main event of the year. Whether you are part of the experience or you are just an observer, experiencing Harvest will make you appreciate that bottle of wine a little bit more.