Pre‑dawn darkness lifted into a cool, bright morning as harvest crews fanned out across Lodi. At Mohr‑Fry Ranches, workers were already picking Sauvignon Blanc in the chill of daybreak. Minutes later, a pickup rolled in with about two tons of bright green grapes from Jerry and Bruce Fry’s vineyard on West Lane and Armstrong Road — the start of Roberto Barro’s second vintage of the crisp white for Barro Family Vineyards.
Across the Lodi AVA, similar scenes played out. This year’s harvest is one of the earliest in recent memory — roughly two weeks ahead of typical seasons — driven by a light crop and warm weather that sped up ripening.
A warm March jump‑started vine growth, while irregular late‑winter and early‑spring weather during bloom reduced yields. June and July stayed moderate, with triple‑digit heat arriving only in August. By early to mid‑August, many wineries were already taking fruit.
“We’re picking earlier… generally, harvest has moved up a bit over the years,” said Stuart Spencer, winemaker at St. Amant Winery and executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission.
The shift is stark: Lodi’s Grape Festival takes place in late September; this year, the region was in full harvest by the second week of August. Many growers reported a compressed season, with white and red varieties ripening at the same time.
Jason Mikami of Mikami Vineyards called it “challenging, but overall, a great vintage,” noting fruit‑set issues in Syrah but strong overall quality. Barro agreed, saying Sauvignon Blanc sugars climbed quickly in the heat but fruit quality remained high. He picked his Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on Aug. 25 — about a month earlier than usual — and noted smaller berries than in past years.
The early trend extended far beyond California. Champagne growers began picking in mid‑August — the earliest start since the early 20th century — after heat, drought, and spring frost cut yields by about 30 percent. Burgundy broke a nearly 500‑year record when pickers entered Montrachet on Aug. 13.
At home, growers face more than climate challenges. Some grapes still lack buyers, and California producers continue to feel pressure from low‑cost imports. Many hope to get this early harvest behind them and remind consumers to support local farms and drink local.
Farewell to a Lodi Legend
Carmela and Tom Hoffman have sold Heritage Oak Winery, closing a chapter that spans five generations of grape growing and winemaking in Lodi. The property on E. Woodbridge Road along the Mokelumne River will revert to a private residence on Dec. 15, with vineyards already converted to cattle pasture.
“For the last 45 years I have walked with pride across the same dirt that four generations of my ancestors walked on… yet I realize that sometimes, stepping into the future requires letting go of the past,” Hoffman wrote in a farewell message.
Hoffman’s influence on Lodi wine is hard to overstate. He helped establish the Lodi Amateur Vintners Association, the Lodi Association of Wineries, and the Lodi Appellation Inclusion Collective. He chaired the Lodi Winegrape Commission and was instrumental in launching the Winery Business Improvement District.
Affectionately known as “Owl Box Tom,” Hoffman championed owl boxes and sustainable farming. An avid kayaker, he was often seen gliding along the Mokelumne River and leading bird‑watching tours in its riparian forests. In the tasting room, he charmed visitors by playing classical music on his piano.
Heritage Oak Winery will host a farewell concert featuring Georgetowne on Sept. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. Guests may bring a picnic; wine will be sold by the glass and the bottle. No RSVP is required. Deep discounts on remaining wines are available while supplies last. Orders can be placed by emailing hailey@heritageoakwinery.com or by visiting the winery at 10112 E. Woodbridge Rd., Acampo. For more information, call (209) 986‑2763.