Sierra Starr Winery hosts a harvest party on September 20

Sierra Starr Vineyard and Winery is hosting a Harvest Party open house and wine-club pick up on September 20 as its wine-grape harvest gets fully underway.

Visit the Grass Valley winery and see how Sierra Starr’s highly acclaimed wines are made. “See the sights, smell the amazing smells and maybe participate in the winemaking process and get your hands purple dirty,” said winemaker and vineyard manager Jackson Starr.

The Harvest Party includes winemaking demonstrations, tastings of gold- and silver-medal winning wines and “Harvest Special” wine sales.

The gathering is from noon-5 p.m. on September 20 at Sierra Starr Vineyards, 1179 Gibson Drive, Grass Valley. For more information, call 530-477-8282. Sierra Starr’s downtown Grass Valley tasting room will be closed this day.

Sierra Starr’s harvest is well underway. The winery just finished harvesting its Sauvignon Blanc grapes. “It is two weeks ahead of what used to be a normal harvest date and one week earlier than last year,” Starr said.

“The rest of the crops look good. I believe it’s going to be a beautiful growing season this year. We are convinced our vineyard is much happier with this warmer climate.” Sierra Starr will resume picking its estate fruit later this week.

Wine club members of Sierra Starr Vineyard recently had a chance to help with the grape harvest, and their reward was a free bottle of wine.