Napa, California — Some say the secret to Napa's incredible wines is the rich blend of soils. While the soil is one of the key elements, the weather is also critical. From rain to temperatures and their timing, the weather is always on the minds of grape growers who must rush a crop or slow down its harvest depending on what the forecasts are.

In record-breaking winters when the temps dip below freezing the growers are definitely concerned about their vines. Rain is also important, and winter is when most the rain arrives. In December, January and February when the averages exceed five inches of rain, everyone's happy, as long there isn't any flooding.

And Napa's summer may seem hot to visitors coming to sip & savor. While the record high temperature is around 113 degrees Fahrenheit, it's not uncommon for the daytime high to reach 100 in the months of June through October.  If you're going on a Napa wine tasting trip remember to carry bottled water in the summer — always a good idea anywhere you go, actually.

Morning in Napa are nearly always cool and pleasant, winter or summer. The night time lows seldom exceed 55 degrees — great sleeping weather — and the winter lows can seem downright cold at an average of 39 degrees in January.

When you live and work in the area you seldom need a full set of winter clothes. By dressing in layers, having gloves and a decent jacket, you can tackle the coldest days with the same outfits you'd wear on a cool summer night.

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