Welcome harvest 2023.

As the warm, golden days of summer gradually transition into the cool, crisp embrace of autumn, there’s one event that wine enthusiasts and nature lovers eagerly anticipate in Napa Valley: the annual harvest season. With the 2023 vintage just around the corner, it’s time to explore why harvest time in Napa Valley is both exciting and fun, while also delving into the expectations for this promising year.

Napa Valley’s picturesque landscapes come to life during the harvest season. Lush vineyards, heavy with clusters of ripe grapes, create a tapestry of vibrant colors against a backdrop of the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges. The sight of crews carefully picking grapes by hand and the hum of machinery in action adds an extra layer of charm to this idyllic setting.

Renowned chefs and restaurants in the region celebrate this time of year with special menus that pair perfectly with the celebratory atmosphere. Food and wine enthusiasts can indulge in delectable dishes that complement wines from vintages past as we anticipate the next.

Napa Valley is renowned for its diverse grape varietals, from the rich Cabernet Sauvignon to the elegant Chardonnay. Each grape variety has its unique character, and the anticipation of how these grapes will express themselves in the 2023 vintage is part of the excitement.

Behind every exceptional wine is a skilled winemaker. Harvest is when their artistry shines brightest as they make crucial decisions about when to pick the grapes, how to ferment them, and how long to age the wine. Their expertise and intuition are vital in shaping the vintage’s ultimate quality.

Napa Valley’s climate plays a pivotal role in the quality of its wine, and 2023 has seen near-perfect weather conditions. Winter and Spring rains filled the soils, fueling the growing season. Mild temperatures and consistent sunshine created comfortable growing conditions for harvest, which is beginning two to four weeks later than usual as a result. The 2023 grapes have airplane mode, and it's time to switch on.

Harvest time in Napa Valley is more than a seasonal event; it’s a celebration of nature’s bounty, the artistry of winemaking, and the joy of savoring exceptional wines. As we eagerly await the release of the 2023 vintage, the expectations are high for a year that promises to deliver wines of distinction, embodying the very essence of Napa Valley’s terroir and craftsmanship. So, raise your glasses to the excitement and fun of Napa Valley’s harvest season, and let the anticipation of 2023 vintage transport you to this wine lover’s paradise.

The power of community.

Growing up, my family never laid down roots. I was born near Sanibel Island, Florida, but moved to Big Bear Lake, California, before my first birthday. Life continued in that manner between various resort towns where my mother worked as an architect in Florida, California, Colorado and the Cayman Islands.

A great benefit to the rolling stone lifestyle is that I feel at home just about anywhere. But I didn't truly become a part of a community until my early 20s.

My husband and I met in college. After graduation, we fixed up a little Mid Century bungalow in the Flamingo Park Historic District of West Palm Beach. The neighborhood association organized monthly happy hours, each hosted by a different resident, and we signed up to host. It was the first time I'd ever met my neighbors, let alone forged actual relationships. I fell in love with entertaining at home and exploring the places and people around us.

I eventually joined the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association board of directors, chaired the garden tour and the holiday home tour year after year. A neighbor-turned-friend introduced me to the Junior League of the Palm Beaches, where I served on the development committee in support of children's welfare. I eventually joined the board of directors there, too.

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when I was 30. My first son was not yet one at the time. One of the most incredible components of that experience was how the community showed up for my family.

Another of those neighbors-turned-friends regularly sat with my son so I could work or get my nails done or just take a nap. Another brought lunch to just about every chemo session, and she stayed with me for treatment the six hours every other Monday for six months. The casseroles and flowers arrived near daily. A friend who'd lined up a musical performance for a charity event arranged to have the group serenade us a cappella at our front door after hours.

It was magical. That community turned one of the darkest times in my life into a miraculous experience. We talk a lot about giving back to the community, but it is truly the community that gives back to us if we chose to invest in it.

This year in Calistoga, I am proud to serve as President of Calistoga Little League. Having served as Vice President and Fund-Raising Chair since 2020, I have worked alongside some incredible volunteers and have the pleasure of meeting the players' families, as well as our generous sponsors.

In 2022, I joined the board of directors for Brannan Center as Marketing and Communications Chair, which I am incredibly excited about. Brannan Center represents the restoration of a historic church at the heart of our little town, revitalizing a once-cherished community gathering place.

Area residents and visitors will come together for entertainment, education and community. Students of our local public schools and visiting artists will benefit from state-of-the-art music and theater performance space. Nonprofits will have the opportunity to leverage the space for programming and fund-raising.

It will truly be a gift to see this come to fruition.

Construction broke ground in March, and we expect to open following 30 months of construction. In the meantime, you will catch me revamping the web site, designing print and digital collateral, and keeping the community informed of our progress. For more information or to make a donation, please visit BrannanCenter.org (I haven't redesigned it just yet - stay tuned).

But whatever you do, get involved. Dive in. Make a splash. Feel the magic that is being a part of your community, and keep that feeling alive. It is worth every minute.