Well the harvest is done, the vines are still retaining their leaves and the weather has become very autumnal.  This usually means that it is soil sampling time in the vineyard.  What’s really involved?
Some may think that it is as simple as grabbing a handfull of dirt, thowing it in a bag and sending it off […]

The title is not meant to be disrespectfull as I have complete respect for grape pickers because I find the job of picking not to my likeing. This group did a great job in a very short period of time.  They were, as usual, a very diverse group coming from many different contries.
I know that many […]

During picking the chiefs are an important group as they have a large picking group to control as well as keep them focussed on the task.  Some coaching is required outlining what is expected.  The usual things like pick all fruit but not bird pecked, diseased or shrivelled bunches.
  
Bin handling is a tricky job and even the big […]

First light Saturday saw vintage 2007 carried out.  It involved a lot of planning, significant cordination as well heaps of pickers.  The weather was great being significantly cooler than the past week - good timing this year. 
The two chiefs, or as they would prefer to be called, the two bosses were hard at work ensuring […]

Well we have an old fashion weatwave upon us at present and apart from us humans walking around with our tongues hanging out the vines are still expected to continue their job of ripening the fruit.  We are at day three with temperatures hovering around 38 - 40C consistently and another day or two to […]