Most of us have experienced the joy of sharing a lovely glass of wine with friends and at Texas vineyards, you can take that experience one step further by being part of the harvest.
Messina Hof
Starting at the beginning of August, vineyards across the state began harvesting their grapes, rescuing them from the brutal summer sun and transforming them into beautiful vintages. Two years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in the harvest at Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall and this year I joined the crew at Messina Hof in Bryan.
My friend Stacey at the Messina Hof harvest
Harvest is truly a community gathering, with the vineyards relying on the extra hands of friends and family to race the clock of mother nature to ensure that they pick the grapes at their peak.
Family and friends pitching in at Pedernales Cellars
The grapes are collected in large bins and then processed through a sorter to remove the MOG (material other than grapes). From there, the the wine making begins.
Grape collection in the fields
The sorter
Material other than grapes (MOG)
You can participate in grape stomp and harvest events at wineries around the state over the next two weekends. Don’t miss this chance to be part of your favorite wine from the start of its journey from vine to bottle.
Cheers!
(And thanks Lillian for pulling together this list of upcoming events!)
Texas Hill Country Wineries – great website with extensive winery events calendar.
Pedernales Cellars
Grape Stomp 2014
August 22, 23, & 24 Noon- 5pm
Messina Hof
Harvest Festival 2014
August 22-23, Bryan
August 29-30, Fredericksburg
Becker Vineyards
18th Annual Grape Stomp!
August 23-24, & August 30
Fall Creek Vineyard
25th Annual Grape Stomp & Harvest
August 23, 11am-5pm
Stone House Vineyard
Time to Harvest!
August 23, 6:30 am
