September ushers in autumn’s crispness as summer fades, bringing the return to routines and changing leaves. It starts with Labor Day, honors the solemn remembrance of September 11th, and features the autumn equinox, a symbol of balance and change. This month blends reflection and preparation, evoking both nostalgia and anticipation for winter.
Enjoy the season’s transition in wine country with harvest festivals, vineyard cuisine, and exceptional wine tastings.
FIND IT FAST
HARVEST TIME
Celebrate the Bounty: Napa Valley's Harvest Events. Get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of crush time with my curated list of must-attend harvest events.
Calistoga Harvest Table | September 8th
Photo from VisitCalistoga.com
Sunday from 4:30 – 8 PM • Hosted in Downtown Calistoga: Washington St. & Lincoln Ave. Calistoga
One of my most favorite events of the Harvest season – this unforgettable dining experience features 12 top restaurants and 16 wineries, featuring a 1,000-foot table in the heart of Downtown Calistoga where you can enjoy locally paired wines and unique Harvest Season menus.
2024 Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration | September 7
Photo from Hall Wines
Saturday from 11 AM – 1:30 PM • HALL Wines: 401 St. Helena Hwy., St. Helena
Enjoy the exclusive 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon at a Garden Party with live entertainment, outdoor games, seasonal bites, and endless fun.
Harvest Ball | September 14
Photo from Visit Napa Valley
Saturday from 5:30 – 11 PM • V. Sattui Winery: 1111 White Ln., St. Helena
Experience one of Napa Valley's most sensational fall events, V. Sattui's Annual Harvest Ball, for an unforgettable evening of world-class entertainment, gourmet dining by a Michelin Star chef, and top-tier wines, all in a stunning black-tie setting.
Inglenook Harvest Party | September 14
Photo from Inglenook
Saturday from 6 – 9 PM • Inglenook: 1991 St. Helena Hwy., Rutherford
Celebrate an early fall evening in the courtyard of the famed Inglenook Estate as they toast the 2024 harvest with the Inglenook winemaking team, enjoying dinner, dancing, and a memorable celebration!
FOOD & WINE
TRUSS Brunch & Vine | September 1st
Photo from Truss
Sunday from 11 AM – 3 PM • Truss Restaurant & Bar: 400 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga
Delight in their specially curated dishes, like their luxurious Caviar & Hash Brown or savor the delightful Croque Madame Pizza, every bite is crafted to perfection.
BRUNCH IN STYLE RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Monday Drive Days | September 2
Photo from Hyatt Experiences
Monday from 9:30 AM –5 PM • Hyatt - Alila Napa Valley: 1915 Main St., St Helena
Explore California Wine Country in luxury cars like Aston Martin and Ferrari, with curated routes, special pricing, and exclusive perks for Alila members.
PGA Tour Procore Championship | September 12th - 15th
Photo from procorechampionship.com
Hosted at Silverado Resort: 1600 Atlas Peak Rd., Napa
Voted most fan-friendly PGA Tour event! The tournament features the region’s finest wines and food. Local marquee restaurants highlight the culinary offerings available throughout the event.
Thursday Night Live | NOW – September 26th
Photo from Priest Ranch Wines
Every Thursday from 6 – 9 PM • The Kitchen at Priest Ranch: 6488 Washington St, Yountville
Enjoy FREE admission, wine by Priest Ranch, delicious dishes from Chef Dan Solomon and live music.
MARKET UPDATE OVERVIEW
The economy is experiencing significant movement. Here’s a high-level overview of recent economic trends and their impact on the real estate market, particularly in Napa Valley, with a focus on interest rates, inflation, and market dynamics:
- The Federal Reserve has maintained current interest rates, though a rate cut is expected in September.
- Interest rates are beginning to soften slightly in anticipation of this potential rate cut.
- Inflation has dropped to its lowest level in over three years; though still above the Fed's target rate of 2%.
- Stock markets have been on the rocks since mid-July, while consumer confidence remains steady.
- The national real estate market is transitioning from a seller's market to a buyer's market.
“We’re seeing a slow shift from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market…Homes are sitting on the market a bit longer, and sellers are receiving fewer offers [with more contingencies, and] inventory is definitively rising.”
- Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist on national dynamics.
Napa Valley Real Estate Trends:
- Listings have increased by 29% year-over-year, from 326 in 2023 to 422 this July.
- Sales have seen a slight uptick of 2% year-over-year.
- The median list price has decreased by 6%, but the median sales price has risen by 11%.
- Days on the market have decreased by 37% – from 67 days last year to 42 days in 2024 – bucking the national trend.
These trends underscore the hyper-local nature of real estate markets, with Napa Valley showing distinct dynamics compared to broader national patterns.
While economists, consumers, and Realtors were holding out hope (and their collective breaths) to see if the Fed would drop interest rates this month, the Fed left its benchmark rate unchanged at its 7/31 meeting. Based on comments made by the Fed chief and recent economic data, most analysts believe a September rate cut is (finally) coming. In anticipation of that rate cut, interest rates have been softening slightly. Of course, those rates depend on so many factors so providing quotes or averages can be very misleading. Providers of interest rate averages use different methodologies as to exactly what types of mortgage rates they are measuring - but the trends are always similar.
Inflation rates - both general and "core" readings - just dropped to their lowest points in over 3 years (though still above the Fed's target rate of 2%). Stock markets have been having a rockier time of it since mid-July, though still far up since the year began, and consumer confidence has not yet really rebounded, remaining flat over the past 3 months.“We’re seeing a slow shift from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun on national dynamics. “Homes are sitting on the market a bit longer, and sellers are receiving fewer offers [with more contingencies, and] inventory is definitively rising.”
Napa Valley may be following suit in some areas as we found that the number of listings year over year was up by 29%, from 326 in 2023 to 422 this July and the median list price dropped 6%. Encouraging though, the number of sales was up year over year, albeit very slightly (2%) and the median sales price was up by 11%. Contrary to the NAR economists' comment about homes staying on the market longer, the days on the market in Napa Valley were down from 67 days last year to 42 days in 2024, a 37% decrease. It was proving once again that real estate markets are hyper-local.
