The 2021 growing season began cooler than usual with occasional light rains, bringing budbreak slightly later than expected. Spring and summer were mostly dry, but without the long, lingering heatwaves of recent years, allowing fruit to ripen at a normal rate. Higher temperatures in the late summer and early fall brought an earlier and faster harvest to ensure all fruit was picked at optimum ripeness. Crop yields were lighter than average, but with intense flavor profiles and outstanding quality.