Wine Harvest - The highlight of the wine year at Nature's Calling
Late summer brings not only shorter days and fewer hours of sunshine, but also the start of the grape harvest – one of the most important phases in winemaking. But what exactly happens during the harvest, and what role does it play in the creation of our natural wine?
The grape harvest, also called the grape harvest or simply the harvest, is the time when grapes are harvested, the basis for all wine. Traditionally, it begins in early autumn in Germany, but with increasingly higher temperatures, it now often starts in late summer, precisely when the grapes have reached their optimal ripeness.
In small, organic and biodynamic wineries like ours, hand-harvesting plays a particularly central role. But what makes this method so special and why is it indispensable for sustainable winegrowers?
The best grapes are carefully selected by hand – a practice known as "hand-harvesting" that results in particularly high-quality wines. In contrast to machine harvesting, hand-harvesting offers numerous advantages:
Protecting the vines and grapes: Selective harvesting by hand minimizes damage to the vines and grapes. Only the best and ripest grapes are harvested, which improves the quality of the wine.
Precision and care: during hand-harvesting, each grape is carefully inspected and only the optimally ripe berries are selected. Perfect, undamaged grapes are particularly important for techniques frequently used in natural winemaking, such as carbonic maceration or extended maceration.
Your questions about weather, grapes and timing
The grape harvest is an exciting but also challenging process. The weather plays a crucial role in determining the harvest time. If it remains warm and dry, the harvest can be delayed to further intensify the aromas. However, if rain is imminent, swift action is necessary to ensure the quality of the grapes. Flexibility is often required, as rain shortly before harvest can cause the grapes to swell, or hail can even cause large quantities of ripe grapes to burst, negatively impacting the wine's quality. To respond to this, we often harvest earlier or later, depending on the weather forecast.
How do we determine the perfect harvest time?
The harvest time is precisely determined by the ripeness of the grapes, measured by their sugar content, acidity levels, and flavor. However, these times vary depending on the grape variety and the intended wine style. For example, sparkling wine grapes, such as those we use for our Pet Nats, are usually harvested first to ensure a crisp acidity and not too much sugar (and therefore ultimately alcohol content).
Are there regional differences in the grape harvest?
Yes, they do exist! Different climatic conditions and soil types mean that the grape harvest is unique in each region. In warmer regions, the harvest can begin earlier, while cooler climates often mean a later harvest.
Don't snack too much!
Although the grapes are tempting, you shouldn't snack on too many. Eating too many berries stimulates digestion and can have a laxative effect – quite inconvenient during the grape harvest. Besides, every berry counts, as roughly 1.5 kg of grapes are needed for each bottle of Pet-Nat.
Want to participate in the grape harvest?
Every year, wine lovers have the opportunity to help with the grape harvest. In Germany's picturesque wine regions, such as Rheinhessen, the Palatinate, Franconia, or the Moselle, many wineries open their doors to harvest helpers. This experience not only provides deep insights into the daily life of winemakers, but also usually includes the enjoyment of exciting wines and fresh grape must.
However, you should carefully consider in advance whether you can organize everything and are flexible with your time. While larger wineries often offer guest rooms, smaller, newer wineries often have little to no overnight accommodation.
The easiest way is to contact the winery directly to ask if they still need help; sometimes it's even possible to help with the grape harvest for just one weekend.
But there are also opportunities with our Friends & Wineries:
At Mira's in the Palatinate
Isegrim Winery, Am Spielberg 2, 67098 Bad Dürkheim
Information: No accommodation available, mid-September
Contact: prost@weingut-isegrim.de
At Laura's in Franconia
Seufert Winery, Bahnhofstraße 33, D-97346 Iphofen
Information: No sleeping accommodations available, campervan pitch in Iphofen possible, longer stays (a few days) welcome, mid-September
Contact: laura@weingut-seufert.de
We will be assembling a small harvest team for the apple harvest in October at Arno's place in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (2 hours from Berlin); more information will follow soon.