Week Ending 2025-03-16

The week ending March 16 marks the transition from dormancy to early shoot growth in the Santa Lucia Highlands, providing a clear view of how the 2025 season is shaping up. Average daytime highs this week settled at 61.7°F, with lows at 40.4°F and a weekly mean of 49.9°F. Soil temperatures averaged 54.0°F—well above the 50°F mark associated with the onset of budbreak. These conditions are now consistent across most blocks, with bud swell and early green shoots evident throughout the region.
Looking at the season to date, the post-harvest period brought several weeks of below-average rainfall, resulting in early soil moisture deficits as dormancy set in. January and early February remained notably dry, with cumulative rainfall lagging historical norms and keeping root profiles shallow until a series of storms arrived mid- to late-February. Over the last four weeks, total precipitation has improved, with nearly 2.7 inches recorded, and rainfall this week (0.34 inches) has helped maintain much-needed reserves as evapotranspiration has steadily increased—now averaging just above 0.7 inches per week as temperatures and winds climb.

Dormancy itself was marked by wide temperature swings and a gradual rise in soil temperatures, but without damaging heat spikes or prolonged cold snaps. This has preserved vine health and supported an even, if slightly early, transition into budbreak. The main challenge through dormancy was the lack of sustained winter rain; while late-season storms have alleviated some of the deficit, soil moisture remains a point of focus for canopy establishment as spring advances.

Vintage comparison provides further context: Current soil temperatures and the timing of budbreak most closely resemble what was observed in 2014, a season known for an early start and rapid spring development. Like that year, this season’s mild winter and limited rainfall are resulting in accelerated phenology and a condensed budbreak window across the Highlands. Early growth so far shows strong vigor, but sustained moisture will be critical if the pattern of warm, dry, and windy weather continues.

As the canopy pushes out and the 2025 vintage takes shape, growers will be monitoring shoot growth, soil water, and wind exposure closely. The region has moved decisively out of dormancy, with the season’s first key transition now underway.