VINEYARDS across the country are counting down the days to harvest time.
Many people pay to tour wineries and sample their finest tipples, but there’s another way to enjoy the experience.
Vineyards across the country are gearing up for harvest, with volunteers offered the chance to get hands-on with grape picking Credit: Shutterstock / Phoenixns
At this time of year, many vineyards look for volunteer fruit-pickers, and it’s a great way to have a day out with friends, meet new people — and maybe get a little tipple for your trouble.
Cheers, I mean, here’s all you need to know . . .
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GRAPE DAY OUT: September is usually harvest time, when all the grapes get picked from the vines, ready to be made into wine. In many areas, harvest days have become community events where volunteers pull on their wellies and chat to others while they work.
You can expect to spend around four hours picking grapes before you break for lunch and a glass of wine, which is often provided by the vineyard.
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Mike Wagstaff, who founded Greyfriars Vineyard in Surrey with his wife Hilary in 2010, said: “For the last four years we have organised between two and three days of picking with about 120 volunteers coming to help us each day.
“We try to make it as much a celebration as getting the job done.”
GET ORGANISED: If you’re keen to get involved, now is the time to sign up to mailing lists so you can secure a spot.
Greyfriars has just confirmed harvest days for 19, 26 and 27 September, and emails asking for volunteers will go out this week.
Small, family-run vineyards are more likely to have harvest days.
Kerry Vale Vineyard in Shropshire and Ryedale Vineyards in Yorkshire are both on the lookout for wine-loving locals to help them harvest their grapes.
SEASONAL WORK: If you like the idea of volunteering at a vineyard, help isn’t just needed at harvest time.
Some wineries need assistance with pruning after winter, as well as general maintenance during the spring so there’s something to get stuck into all year round.
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