A Week in a Winemaker’s Life
Day 1: Induction & Arrival 3:00 PM - 5pm Pacific
Your journey kicks off at 3:00 PM! This isn't just a meet-and-greet; it's a high-stakes induction into your new winemaking family. You'll be issued your official Winemaker Toolkit and rally with your head winemaker to outline your shared mission. After an electric sparkling wine reception, you'll forge deep bonds with your fellow crew members—the team you'll rely on as you conquer the cellar together in the days ahead!
Day 2: Hands-On Harvest & Pre-Fermenation approx 9-5pm
It’s game time—harvest day is here! Rally the crew and pull on your boots (or sneakers) for an adrenaline-fueled morning of picking grapes. Feel the shared energy of the team as you work the rows together, knowing every cluster you harvest is a victory for the group.
Following your stint in the vineyards, you’ll storm the crush pad as a united front! Together, the team will destem the clusters and see them off to the tank. It’s a collaborative rush to ensure your fruit begins its transformation under the watchful eye of your new winemaking family.
Every world-class winemaking team sharpens their palate together. You’ll follow up your field adventures with a high-energy tasting session, debating and assessing wines with your peers to align your vision for the finest possible vintage.
Day 3 : Winemaking approx 9am-5pm
First thing, the crew hits the road to meet your vital partners! Whether you're at the barrel cooper or the cork company, you'll dive into the heart of the industry together. It’s a shared deep-dive into the tools of the trade, where you and your team will make discerning choices about oak influence and bottle packaging and protection that will define your collective vintage.
Next, the team charges back to the winery to take a keen eye to yesterday’s harvest. Together, you’ll master the steps for creating a vibrant rosé and check brix levels like a professional team. Then, the energy shifts to red wine fermentation as the crew collaborates to kickstart the crafting of your premium red wine!
Day 4: Punchdowns, Pumpovers and Barrelling Down approx 10am - 8:30pm
Another explosive day of winemaking begins! The crew dives headfirst into the action with pumpovers and punchdowns—the ultimate team workout. Get ready to get messy and stain those shirts as you work side-by-side to physically turn your grapes into world-class wine! Don’t worry, your head winemaker will be with you every step of the way to explain wine terms and processes.
The mission continues as you and your team monitor the pulse of your fermentation. Together, you’ll track temperatures and sugar levels, making the critical, collaborative decisions that will guide your juice through the tank or bin.
If fermentation is wrapping up, get ready for the ultimate team milestone: 'barrelling down.' The whole crew will coordinate to transfer your collective masterpiece from the fermentation vessel into its new oak home.
Recharge with a high-spirited wine team lunch before the group heads back to the vineyards to inspect any grapes not previously ready for harvesting. You’ll check brix levels and decide what steps the vineyard crew will take next.
Chances are, you may be reviewing potential wine label designs and wine names in the afternoon, as your creative juices get flowing with a sparkling wine tasting.
Winemaker Dinner
The journey culminates in a triumphant harvest dinner! Celebrate the sweat and camaraderie of the week, pairing courses with exceptional wines and discussing the day’s victories with the winemaking family you’ve built in the cellar.
You’ll taste numerous Napa Valley wines paired with a delicious multi-course meal, surrounded by your new winemaking friends.
