It’s All About Harvest

For a winemaker, harvest is our north star. Everything we do throughout the year is oriented to make sure we are preparing the winery for the next harvest. Starting in July you can often hear the word “harvest” in most winemaker’s conversations. Our lives are referenced in terms of before harvest, during harvest and after harvest. 

I’ve understood the concept of harvest for as long as I can remember. As a young child I remember riding up to the vineyard with my parents and siblings and “helping” to collect clusters of grapes into lugs. It was a whole family and friends affair. We have pictures of my mom and her sisters (plus my dad and uncles), the Loew grandchildren, extended family, and family friends with big smiles on their faces during harvest. My grandmother was often the person who took pictures of everyone and my grandfather often appeared focused and serious. 

Once the grapes were harvested, the lugs were carefully situated in a trailer behind our Kubota tractor where they were brought to the winery to process. There was at least one year where I got to sit on my grandfather’s lap as we drove through the vineyard collecting lugs of grapes. It was easy to notice the level of concentration my grandfather had at each step of the process. Now that I’m a winemaker, I can appreciate my grandfather’s demeanor during harvest. Harvest is a high energy environment. It is anxiety provoking, exciting, and intense pressure. From the moment the grapes are harvested, it is the winemaker’s aim to create a product that is both technically perfect and artistically beautiful. Oh, and not to mention, a product that can also be enjoyed by customers!

I can remember being maybe six or seven years old and tasting one of our white varieties that was being pressed from our trusty wooden press. My grandmother gave each of the grandchildren a small dixie cup to hold under the press so we could try the juice. I remember being amazed at how beautiful the taste was. My brother and I looked at each other after trying the juice and went back in for seconds. I can recall someone telling me that we shouldn’t take too much so my grandfather had enough juice to make wine. 

These memories have been carried with me throughout my life. I bring in the nostalgia of making wine with my grandfather, with my family around, and with the incredible support of my grandmother. When I have grape solids splattered all over my body and am tired and hungry from working 18 hours straight, my grandmother still brings dinner (including dinner for my dog, Brix) and offers moral support. 

Currently, we are producing at least three times more wine and mead than we did when I was growing up. Harvest, although intense at any level of production, has become the time of year that I enjoy the most. We are always happy to share the experience with all who would like to participate or witness it in action. To join the list for our harvest volunteers, please email me. From now until the start of harvest, we can just hope for another beautiful vintage!