We are going to France this September and Rick says you can either take photos of grape pickers, or join in and be part of the party. Has anybody actually done this? Neither me nor my husband are particularly outgoing so I don't see it happening.
Posted by
San Jose, CA, USA
4 posts
I have picked grapes, but it was part of a study abroad excursion... I don't remember the name of the winery, and it was a special event organized for the students, so I can't be of too much help. I will say that it was a lot of fun. We got to pick grapes for about half an hour, then go to the fermentation vats (where we got to sample wine as it was fermenting), then have a picnic at the winery. If you can find a way to go grape picking; I think it's worth the experience. I was in the Languedoc region. I did see this excursion:
http://www.thewinewisecompany.com/wine_holidays/languedoc_harvesting_weekend.php But it's 650 Euro per person - might not be what you're looking for. I have not been this trip, so I can't talk about that.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10524 posts
I did it once back in the 1970s. It was hard, back breaking work. I was slow and cut the hand holding the bunches a lot. A friend and I just showed up and were hired, housed, fed, paid a little and were allowed to have two bottles of wine each per day as part of the pay.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Can't you buy them already picked and squished into a bottle?
Posted by
OP
Peterborough, ON, Canada
1621 posts
Thanks everyone for your replies. Ed, I most certainly will be partaking in the already squished variety. Grape harvesting sounds like a lot more work than fun and work isn't on my agenda! Especially if they want me to pay THEM to do it!
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
That grape picking is hard work for not much pay. it used to be that students would travel in groups to wherever the grapes were being picked. havent joined in the picking, but have been able to join in their breakfasts .... laid on after the first few hours picking.
Not sure the vineyard owners would appreciate clumsy unskilled help- unless you had a big TV camera and sound man accompanying you
Posted by
Kingsville, Ontario
165 posts
If you really want to pick grapes, come on down, they're starting to hire here.
Essex county is lovely in the fall, and if you kind of scrunch up your eyes, get all dreamy while standing next to the new round about it kind of reminds one of France, then add some local Francophones. Et voila!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15771 posts
I once bought cherries at a "pick your own" place in Oregon. It was upwards of 95 degrees and really hard work, even though you could eat as much as you wanted while picking.