Changing Climate Forcing Napa Valley Grape Growers To Tweak Their Technique

CBS San Francisco

September 7, 2022

In Napa Valley, grape growers are waiting for the heat wave to end to begin harvesting their crops for this year's vintage. But one grower has developed a method of planting that may offer hope to a region that is increasingly vulnerable to climate change.

By 2 p.m. Tuesday, it was 115 degrees in Mark Neal's Rutherford vineyard, and the day before, it was even hotter at 118. Neal has seen a lot in his 56 years of farming.

"...but I have to say that this one here is catching my attention," he said. "Because the last time I think I saw 118 was yesterday, and the previous one was, I think, in '77 or '76."

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