Interestingly enough we began on the very same day we began last year. It will usually be around the same time, but the actual start date depends on the weather and when the winery can take the white grapes.
The whites are all done without too much drama and will be on their way to Xanthe at 5am tomorrow. While they are heading west I start the hand pickers on the pinot noir. It will probably take 2 days. Picking 4 days in a row is something I didn't have to do last year, but the flavours in the pinot noir are really good this year so.... who needs sleep? While I'm looking after the hand picking Dad will be machine harvesting at one of the other vineyards. He has to start at 3:30 am. I am really glad I get to sleep in until 6am! Then I get to make the wine out of the Pinot! I'm looking forward to it so obviously I have forgotten how much plunging is involved!
I think we will also have to pick the tempranillo soon too. All the grapes are ripening at once this year. Hopefully I will get some of those grapes to make into wine as well. I would also like to make some Tempranillo, Cabernet and maybe Pinot paste this year. I made quince paste last year and surely it isn't that different. Although that wasn't done in the middle of vintage which may make all the difference when 4 hrs of stirring is involved in each paste.
OK bed time, I'm already exhausted and we have only just begun. Must have been the three days of selling wine leading up to harvest. And when I say leading up, I mean we got home from Sydney, had 6 hours sleep then harvest began! I was woken up at 4:30 this morning by the wind. It was so strong. I managed to get back to sleep but when I got up at 6 it was raining. We looked on the weather map, which suggested the rain was about to stop. Bugger. I was ready to go back to my warm bed... The rain did stop, but it was cold all day. Not the best for picking, but great for the grapes.
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