2024 Vintage & Harvest Report: A Year of Extremes in the Vineyard
December 19th, 2024
Vintage & Crush
The 2024 growing season at Lyons Vineyard was nothing short of dramatic, marked by unpredictable weather patterns that tested both the resilience of our vines and our vineyard team. From abundant winter rains to a heat-driven harvest, the year shaped a vintage with intense character and complexity. Here’s a closer look at how the season unfolded and what it means for the wines in your future glass.
A Rain-Soaked Start to the Year
The winter of 2023-2024 brought a generous 23.95 inches of rainfall to the Santa Ynez Valley, replenishing groundwater reserves and providing a solid foundation for the vines. December and January saw moderate rain, but February delivered a deluge with over 10 inches. March and April followed with additional showers, extending the wet season later than usual. These rains allowed our younger vines to establish strong root systems, setting the stage for a promising growing season, and helped replenish the canopies on our older vines.
Early Budbreak Amid a Cool Spring
Despite the lingering cold and damp conditions, budbreak began in early March, about a week earlier than the previous year. The return of sunshine in May gave the vines the energy they needed to flourish. By early June, fruit set was complete, with small berries forming across all varietals. This timing was about one to two weeks earlier than the previous vintage, giving us an idea we'd be in for a slightly more traditional growing timeline than the year prior that was long and slow.
Smoke and Veraison in the Summer
On July 5th, a forest fire near Zaca Lake sent hazy skies over the region. Fortunately, the smoke did not linger long, and the grapes were still in the early stages of development, well before veraison. Moreover, the wind was blowing all the smoke in the opposite direction of the vineyards in the area, so none of the fruit was affected. By the last week of July, veraison—the process where berries soften and change color—was underway. By early August, nearly half of the berries had turned color, signaling the onset of ripening.
August brought warm weather, with temperatures consistently in the 80s and 90s. This steady heat accelerated the ripening process, helping the fruit to develop rich, concentrated flavors. Even with the steady heat, we are fortunate to experience high diurnal shifts, where the nights cool off significantly. This allows the grapes to rest and preserves their natural acidity, contributing to balanced wines.
A Heatwave Harvest
September ushered in a heatwave, with temperatures soaring into the high 90s and low 100s. The heat intensified ripening, pushing sugar levels (brix) higher than anticipated. In our warmest block, our "courtside" Grenache, this rapid heat intensity led to raisining and we ultimately had to sacrifice those grapes, pruning and leaving them on the ground for compost. These conditions demanded quick decision-making and careful monitoring of the rest of the vineyard to ensure optimal fruit quality.
Harvest began in mid-September, starting with the Grenache in Block 3, followed closely by Syrah and Mourvèdre. The warm weather persisted into mid-October, necessitating a fast-paced picking schedule. Unlike the previous year’s extended harvest, the 2024 vintage came in hot and fast, with all fruit picked within a compressed timeframe.
The Results: Concentration and Complexity
While the rapid harvest and high sugars presented challenges, they also resulted in grapes with incredible concentration. The persistent cool nights we experience, as well as strong afternoon winds helped preserve acidity, providing a counterbalance to the bold, ripe fruit flavors. The 2024 wines are already showing promise, with intense aromatics, vibrant acidity, and a depth of character that reflects the year’s extremes.
What to Expect
From this year’s fruit, we’ve crafted several exciting wines:
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Rosé of Grenache and Mourvèdre: A fresh and vibrant wine with notes of tangerine, cantaloupe melon and a zesty finish.
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100% Syrah: Bold and structured, with dark fruit and spice.
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100% Grenache: Elegant and fruit-forward with hints of strawberry and herbal undertones.
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100% Mourvèdre: Earthy and complex, showcasing the variety’s depth and texture.
The 2024 vintage may have been demanding, but it’s a testament to the resilience of our vines and the rewards of careful farming. We can’t wait for you to experience the results of this extraordinary season.