07/28/2026
Early snippets of Vintage 2026. In my 22 years in Santa Barbara wine country, this year is trending to be the earliest harvest yet. Across the state you are hearing the same refrain. For the Rhone varieties at Robert Rae Ranch, the vines generally don’t start veraison in earnest until mid-September. Our location, exposure, lower yields, mild winter, warm consistent temperatures, and previous years of wonderful rain all have contributing factors. It is exciting to experience a precociously warm year here in my favorite cool climate place. Silly, I know.
Next vineyard tour on the books is August 1.
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