2026 Vintage Update + Exploring Veraison

Across the Dundee Hills AVA, vineyards have just entered one of the most important stages of the growing season. The lag phase has concluded, and veraison is now underway. During the lag phase, grape clusters appear to stop growing, and that’s because the work has shifted internally to the seeds, which are maturing and hardening in preparation for the critical next phase: veraison.

Veraison marks the beginning of ripening. Every varietal undergoes veraison, though the appearance varies greatly between them! Green grapes of red wine varietals gradually transform into deep purples, while white wine varietals transition from green berries to golden-translucent. The color changes signal the fruit is maturing. 

At the same time, sugars begin to accumulate, acidity becomes more muted, and the complex flavors that will define the vintage begin to develop. Veraison starts the clock to harvest; it’s usually about a month and a half between the two.

After veraison is complete, the grapes enter the final ripening period known as “hang time,” when winemakers closely monitor sugar levels and acidity to determine the perfect moment for harvest. Every varietal, vineyard block, and elevation shift dictates a different timeline for harvest, and the harvest season often extends weeks because of this.

Mo Ayoub of Ayoub Wines expects an early- to mid-September harvest this year due to the warm early growing season. “The 2026 Dundee Hills AVA growing season saw moderate weather running slightly warmer than historical averages,” he noted. “A warm winter and sudden May heatwaves triggered rapid, successful flowering. Warm days, cool nights, Intermittent rain, and the water retention of the region’s volcanic Jory soil have maintained healthy vine canopies and excellent fruit acidity without heat stress. All this led to later-than-expected veraison, positioning vines for harvest starting around early to mid-September.”