Jenny and Marcus Meadows-Smith of Great Bear Vineyards in Davis write:
It is a magical time of year – the vines are lush, the fruit has set beautifully, and the promise of another exceptional vintage is in the air. The season is a little early and we have already completed our first shoot thin to improve fruit quality and keep the vineyard in pristine condition.
We are now taking reservations for 2026 harvest for the following grapes:
1) WHITES – Chardonnay at $1.25/lb
2) ROSÉ – Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon at $1.00/lb
– Harvested late August for high acidity and fresh fruit profile
– Our 2025 Cab Sauv Rosé just earned 99 Points at the California State Fair — we’re thrilled and think you will be too.
3) REDS
– Cabernet Sauvignon at $1.00/lb (late September harvest)
– Malbec, Tempranillo (Best in class at International Women’s Wine Competition) at $1.50/lb
A few things worth knowing
• We harvest at night (11pm–5am) so your grapes arrive cool, fresh, and in peak condition — ready for pickup in the morning.
• For home winemakers, we’ll be running designated crush/destem Saturdays throughout the season. Or, if you prefer whole clusters, we can accommodate pickup on nearly any date.
• To reserve your fruit, simply reply with your varietal(s) and quantity. We will send an invoice for a 50% deposit to hold your allocation (non-refundable), with the remaining 50% due at pickup.
• All grapes are grown organically and are beautiful
Spaces fill up quickly, especially for the Rosé after that State Fair result — so don’t wait too long!
We can’t wait to see what you create this year. Winemaking is always a little bit science, a little bit art, and a lot of magic, and we feel lucky to play a small part in this mix.
Warm regards,
Jenny & Marcus
Great Bear Vineyards
24800 County Road 101A, Davis, California
Phone: 530 574 1516
https://greatbearvineyards.com/
Award-winning winery: “Best Winery of Year” readers of Sacramento Magazine.Award-winning wines: 93-Point Cabernet Sauvignon; 96-Point Albariño & Rosé Fleur Rouge; 91-Point Chardonnay & Roussanne;Gold & Double Gold Medals from San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition – the USA’s largest & most prestigious competition.
Award-Winning Wines. Family Run. Sustainably Grown.
