You’ve seen it right? Those yellow blossoms swaying in mid winter bringing a pop of color to the vineyards? It’s Mustard Season!
Winter in wine country sounds so boring. All of the grapes have been harvested, leaves have fallen, and all that is left are the bare trunks hunkering down for the winter before springing to life in March (ish) for the new season.
But for those who know, January-March brings beauty to wine country in an unexpected way. Mustard Season in Napa is a remarkable sight to see in person.
So what is the reason for planting wild mustard in the middle of vineyards rows besides their beauty? These flowers are helpful for biodiversity in the vineyard. Mustard flowers are considered a cover crop and they are planted to help the soil by adding nutrients such as nitrogen, attract helpful bugs and ward off pests like nematodes, and prevent soil erosion.
There are many different cover crops that can be used in lieu of mustard flowers which is up to the vineyard manager/region/benefits you are looking for, but driving through Napa and Sonoma during Mustard Season is not something you want to miss!
