Harvest Preview & Fall Release | September 2026 Wine Tymes Newsletter
Notes from the winemaker, Moon Mountain District harvest updates, Fall wine releases, pairing suggestions & more! Explore what’s happening in Moon Mountain District this Fall.
Notes from the Winemaker
Happy harvest from all of us at the winery! As harvest approaches, we’re sharing a Moon Mountain District harvest update along with a few highlights from around the winery.

2026 Harvest
The 2026 growing season in Sonoma is shaping up to be an unusual combination of very early timing, a relatively light crop, and potentially very high fruit quality.
From a viticultural standpoint, the season began early. Warm conditions in late winter and early March accelerated vine development and pushed many vineyards ahead of normal historical timing. The season subsequently shifted into cooler, wetter, and windier conditions during the critical bloom and fruit-set period. Those conditions contributed to uneven set and reduced cluster weights.
As the season progressed into summer, conditions became considerably more favorable. Moderate temperatures, good soil-moisture reserves and generally healthy vine canopies allowed the smaller crop to develop without prolonged periods of excessive heat stress. By mid-summer, all blocks were carrying relatively modest crop loads with good canopy-to-fruit balance.
If moderate weather continues through the harvest window, 2026 has the potential to become a particularly strong quality vintage. In a nutshell, the 2026 crop appears likely to be below normal in tonnage but potentially above average in concentration and overall quality.
New Releases
One of my favorite releases of the year is approaching next month. This release includes some of our more limited wines, including George’s Malbec, produced from a small half-acre vineyard planted along the ridge of our Arroyo block. It’s a small-production wine and one I always look forward to sharing.

Mountain Magic Cabernet Sauvignon has become a favorite in our Cabernet lineup, and with the previous vintage selling out, I’m especially excited to share the new vintage with you.
If you’re planning a visit to the tasting room, September is a great time to stop by and experience these new wines. I’ll be joining the team at our Pickup Party on at the Kenwood Tasting Room next month!
Travel & In Home
Between getting ready for the 2026 harvest, I have a busy stretch of travel ahead—both for the winery and with family. Last week, I headed down to Southern California to move my daughter into her dorm for her first year of college. It’s a big milestone for our family, and I’m excited to help her get settled into this next chapter.
Next month, I’ll be headed for North Carolina to visit the Rapp family, longtime Ty Caton members and friends. While I’m there, I’ll be hosting an in-home tasting for them and their guests. These tastings are always a highlight for me. I love having the opportunity to share our wines in a more personal setting, meet friends of our members, and bring a little bit of Sonoma wine country on the road.
Upcoming Events
We have a busy fall ahead, and I hope you’ll have a chance to join us for a few of our upcoming events.
Later this month, we’re celebrating International Cabernet Day at the tasting room with a special Cabernet-focused weekend. We’ll be pouring a special Cabernet flight, with small bites and event-only specials. The celebration is complimentary and open to everyone, so bring a few friends.
In September, we’ll kick off harvest season with our Wine Club Pickup Party. Stop by to taste our fall releases, pick up your shipment, and spend some time with the Ty Caton team as one of our favorite times of year gets underway.
Then, we’ll celebrate our 18th Annual Barrel Tasting. If you’ve never joined us for Barrel Tasting, it’s a unique opportunity to taste wines while they’re still developing in barrel and get a glimpse into the winemaking process before the wines are finished and bottled.
I look forward to seeing many of you this fall!

Wine Guide
Featured Wine Releases
Explore our latest wine release notes and pairing suggestions written by our DTC Sales & Hospitality Lead, Paul Gillmore. These wines are featured in September & October wine club allocations. Featured wines vary based on club tier.*
Want to taste with Paul? You can taste upcoming releases with Paul during one of our exclusive private tasting experiences!

2024 Mountain Magic Cabernet Sauvignon
September & October Wine Club
Third time’s a charm! The third vintage of this lustrous, succulent Cabernet from the highest heights of the Caton Vineyards nails every note. From its jammy boysenberry nose through its rich, velvety finish, this is the complete package. Everything you crave from a mountain Cabernet that you can cellar for ten-plus years… but can you? This vintage is already drinking beautifully. Mountain Magic is an extremely limited production and will sell out quickly, just like both previous vintages.
Pairing Suggestion
British steak and ale pie

2024 Ballfield Syrah
September Wine Club
From the first vineyard ever planted on his Moon Mountain Estate, this is one of our most sought-after wines. Honoring its name, this wine always hits it out of the park, and this vintage is no exception. Hints of marjoram and thyme balance against the bold roasted plum aromas. Its rich and inky color matches its lush and powerful mouthfeel. A perfect foil for summer grilling or your favorite savory dishes. Drink now or hold five to ten years.
Pairing Suggestion
Grape Jelly Meatballs (a Midwest tradition – thanks to club members, the Tiltons, for the recipe!)

2024 Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon
October Wine Club
It takes some audacity to believe you can eke out a great cabernet from a half-acre outcropping of rock…and some really good instincts. Ty made the decision to drill into said rock and the spectacular result bears its name: the Knoll. Bold tannins, rich deep color, and a carnival of cherry, black plum and red licorice. Delightful now, but built for endurance—just like the rocky site it came from. Will easily cellar for 15+ years.
Pairing Suggestion
Bulgogi (Korean beef barbecue)

2024 Moon Dust Cabernet Sauvignon
October Wine Club
Why does Ty Caton make so many Cabernets? Distinction. Each one benefits from different sun exposure, soil types, microclimate, and drainage—factors that all affect and determine flavor. Moon Dust comes from a small section of the Little Hill Vineyard and is the only wine that Ty makes using a technique called bâtonnage—a regular stirring of the lees during fermentation. The result doesn’t so much change the flavor as it does the texture, or mouthfeel. Bold fruit leads the way, followed by cocoa and blueberry on the finish. Chocolate pudding in a glass, anyone?
Pairing Suggestion
Mole Chicken (I know… chicken and Cab? Trust me! It’s the mole that makes it work.)

2024 “The Ridge” George’s Malbec
September wine club
Vibrant. This wine hits the glass, and the first thing you notice is how bright and gorgeous the color is. Then the nose hits you with warming spices and fruit (bergamot, cardamom, and persimmon). Packed with depth of flavor, the spice aromatics carry through to your taste buds, and the joyous union of spice and fruit is reminiscent of a fruit-filled holiday spice cake. A perfect union of heat and hang time in 2024 makes this a near-perfect Malbec—Ty’s best yet!
Pairing Suggestion
Osso Buco on a bed of garlic and parsnip whipped Yukon Gold potatoes.

Staff Highlight

Meet Natalie:
Wine Club & Shipping Coordinator
Natalie joined Team Ty in February 2026 as our Wine Club & Shipping Coordinator. Born and raised in Sonoma, she got her start in the wine industry at just 17 and has since gained hands-on experience in winery operations, hospitality, and customer service.
-
A recent graduate of Sacramento State, Natalie is currently pursuing her master’s degree at San José State University and is in her final year. If you’re a wine club member, chances are you’ve already connected with Natalie—whether she’s helped you over the phone with a shipment or you’ve seen her at one of our wine club events. Behind the scenes, she keeps our wine club operations and shipping logistics running smoothly, helping us create a seamless experience from shipment to delivery.
When she’s not at the winery or studying, Natalie enjoys traveling, reading, and catching a baseball game.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, August 27–Sunday, August 30, 2026
International Cabernet Day Celebration
Celebrate International Cabernet Day with a special open house weekend at our Kenwood Tasting Room! Explore Ty Caton’s estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignons from the Moon Mountain District while enjoying complimentary tastings, small bites, and weekend-only offers.
Time: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM | Last tasting at 5:00 PM
Tickets: Complimentary with RSVP
Location: Kenwood Tasting Room | 8910 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, CA 95452

Saturday, September 12th, 2026.
September Wine Club Pick Up Party
Celebrate the release of our September Wine Club selections with an afternoon at our Kenwood Tasting Room! Be among the first to taste our newest releases alongside current favorites, enjoy seasonal small bites, and pick up your wine club allocation while spending a relaxing afternoon with friends and fellow members.
Time: 12:00–4:00 PM
Tickets: $25 per guest | Complimentary for wine club members and up to 6 guests
Location: Kenwood Tasting Room | 8910 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, CA 95452

Saturday, October 3rd, 2026.
Barrel Tasting
Join us for one of our favorite winery traditions! Taste our 2025 vintage wines straight from the barrel, meet winemaker Ty Caton and the team, explore our current releases, and enjoy small bites while getting a behind-the-scenes look at what’s coming next from Ty Caton Vineyards.
Time: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Tickets: $35 per guest | Complimentary for wine club members and up to 6 guests
Location: Ty Caton Winery | 21684 8th Street East, Suite 460, Sonoma, CA 95476

Saturday, November 14th, 2026.
Holiday at Ty Caton Vineyards
Join us this November for Holiday at Ty Caton, a festive day of wine tasting, seasonal treats, and holiday cheer in Sonoma Valley. We’re partnering with Homewood Winery and Ricci Vineyards to celebrate the season with a special multi-winery event. Spend the day discovering wines from each participating winery while enjoying festive bites and a relaxed holiday atmosphere. Additional details, including pricing and participating winery information, will be announced soon.
Time: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Tickets: On sale soon!
Location: Ty Caton Winery | 21684 8th Street East, Suite 460, Sonoma, CA 95476
SAVE THE DATE. TICKETS ON SALE SOON.
Follow the Journey
We’ll be posting updates from the vineyard all season long, so keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook for real-time videos, photos, and insights as this vintage takes shape.
Got questions about what you’re seeing? Send them our way! We love sharing about vines, soil, and everything in between.














