Picking grapes is kind of a euphemism. You really cut the bunch of the vine. I watched a couple of professionals fill their bucket before I could get mine half full. They used a little short bladed curved knife. It was not suggested as a rookie tool. Pickers were none to kind to the vines. Then I learned that it did not matter. The vines where the grape bunch was growing were going to be cut down in a few weeks anyway. The key was not to damage the root stalk.
Payback... I came away with a new understanding of the job. I still had all my fingers. The bottle of Pinot did not hurt either.
A couple more pictures. I was really surprised by the vintner crew at the winery.
Casks arrived form France.
They were really excited to begin the season. There was a whole series of (new to me) traditions.
To start they opened a couple of bottles of wine and the crew toasted the grapes.
Crew discuss the press procedure. That is the press. The "dumper" is on the press and the crew are discussing the procedure they plan to follow.
Here come the first gapes of the season. Cheers and whoops from the crew. You would think they just won a race.
All the while the bottling line is runs continuously filling that next bottle from past years picks. Having been squeezed, nurtured and aged the juice now wine is corked, boxed and sent out into the world.
