Harvest Options

Question 1

The only traditional option for grape harvest?

Answer 1

by hand

Question 2

Typical type of wine using machine-harvested grapes?

Answer 2

• inexpensive to mid-priced wine
• larger scale production wine

Question 3

What steps can be taken to improve the quality of machine-harvested wine?

Answer 3

• selecting out undesirable fruit by hand before harvesting by machine
• using a bow-rod shaking machine (rather than the older machines, which beat vines to remove the fruit)
• investing in the very latest machines that have options for optical sorting devices on them, and which can crush white grapes and add SO2 in the machine itself
• rigorous sorting on arrival in the winery (removal of MOGs, unripe, and rotten grapes

Question 4

Five main advantages of machine harvesting?

Answer 4

1. significantly faster in large vineyards (if planted accordingly)
2. substantially cheaper in large vineyards (if planted accordingly)
3. avoids issues of the lack of availability/unreliability of workers
4. grapes can be harvested at night and be kept up to 15C/59F cooler
5. the timing of the harvest can wait until the desired level of ripeness has been achieved and then carried out quickly

Question 5

Benefits of harvesting at night?

Answer 5

• can reduce microbial spoilage and oxidation
• for white, fruity wines, starting the winemaking with cool fruit preserves the intensity of fruit aromas
• saves cost on refrigeration

Question 6

Six main disadvantages of machine harvesting?

Answer 6

1. less gentle than hand-harvesting
2. not economic or practical for small-scale vineyards (machines are costly)
3. unsuitable when there are different varieties ripening at different times in the same plot
4. can’t be used on steep slopes
5. the quality of the work is only as good as the skills of the operator
6. where an estate does not own its own harvester, there may be competition for the rental of the machine at the best moment for harvest

Question 7

For what types of wines is hand-harvesting typically used?

Answer 7

• premium wines
• trad method sparklers

Question 8

Three main advantages of hand-harvesting?

Answer 8

1. can be highly selective at a bunch-by-bunch level; remove any diseased, under- or extra-ripe fruit at the point of harvest
2. can deal with steeper slopes, irregular rows, and mixed plantings in the same vineyard
3. if handled with care and put in small, stackable crates (with a max weight of 10-15 kilos), the crushing of grapes and release of juice, which would then be prone to oxidation and microbial spoilage, can be avoided

Question 9

Three main disadvantages of hand harvesting?

Answer 9

1. more expensive than machine harvesting in medium to large vineyards
2. requires availability of a reliable workforce and their training and supervision
3. must happen during daylight hours; high temps might be unavoidable

Question 10

Why might a premium producer switch to machine harvesting?

Answer 10

• costs and scarcity of labor
• technological advantages
• other advantages: night harvesting, quicker

Question 11

Five scenarios when hand harvesting is required?

Answer 11

1. when whole bunches are needed, e.g. Champagne or Beaujolais
2. when selective grapes are needed, e.g. TBA
3. on steep slopes, e.g. Douro
4. on uneven land
5. when there are no trellises, e.g. bush vines