The cool winter and spring in 2018 increased the need for frost protection. Fortunately this cool weather delayed bud break by 2 weeks compared to 2017, and so the actual number of days of frost protection in the vineyards was limited. The winter months were unusually dry with almost drought-like conditions. The majority of rainfall in the Napa Valley occurred later than normal, primarily during the months of March and April, just as the vines were coming out of dormancy. This slowed bud break and shoot elongation, delaying the bloom, berry set and ultimately veraison by a few weeks. The late season was also unusually dry in October and November; accumulated rainfall being 40-50% lower than 2017.