If you took a stroll through the vineyard at Timber Hill Winery right now, you’d notice something special—our grape clusters are still green and tightly packed on the vines. But don’t let their current color fool you. Very soon, those green grapes will begin an incredible transformation, turning deep shades of red and purple as they prepare for harvest.
This color change is part of a natural process that happens each season, and it’s one of the most exciting stages of the grape growing journey. The shift from green to purple signals the beginning of ripening and is called veraison. During this time, the grapes soften, sugar levels rise, acidity balances out, and flavors develop—creating the foundation for the wines you know and love.
The change doesn’t happen overnight, but once it begins, it progresses quickly. Each variety has its own timing and hue, but whether they end up ruby red or inky purple, it’s all part of nature’s way of letting us know the grapes are getting closer to their moment in the spotlight (aka harvest!).
In fact, this transformation was the subject of one of our Trivia Tuesday questions: What is the name of the process when grapes begin to change color and ripen on the vine? (If you missed it, don’t worry—you’ll have more chances to test your vineyard knowledge each week!)
See the Grapes in Person
We invite you to come visit and watch the magic happen. The next time you raise a glass, you’ll know just how much change and care went into every sip. Cheers to the season ahead!
