Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo and Carignane are late varieties, and these varieties are the last grape varieties picked. In southern California, the crush usually starts in mid August and ends in October.
Harvest times vary from year to year.
In early years, the grapes are picked two or three weeks earlier than normal. In late years, Carignane grapes are often picked in late October. The start of the grape harvest depends primarily on accumulated heat. The grape harvest in Northern coastal regions starts about three weeks later than in Southern California. For a given location, most of the grapes are harvested each year during a seven or eight-week period.