Our temporary work crews, along with our staff, are truly international. Many countries take part in making our wine this year: France, Ireland, America, Holland, England, Morocco, Belgium, and Germany. The fields are in order and we look forward to the harvest in late September. Much to do before then, but it is important to pause and thank all that put forth effort making our wine this year.
A green harvest is the removal of immature grape bunches, typically for the purpose of decreasing yield. In French it is known as a vendange verte.
Green harvesting is a relatively modern practice most often used to produce fine wine. Removing the tiny, immature grapes while they are still green induces the vine to put all its energy into developing the remaining grapes. This results in better ripening and the development of more numerous and mature flavour compounds.
In the photo above they are being creative to stay cool as they thin out the grape bunches, leaving only the best to continue to ripen. Below the guys are working away by removing the small green grape clusters and keeping each other alert.
Here is our young lady from Amsterdam ready to do another day of the green harvest.
The French newspaper 'Bordeaux 7' did an article on us and entitled it 'Saint-Emilion, c'est l'Amerique'. Nothing could be further from the truth, since I am outnumbered by a great international dedicated hard working team. What we are all most proud of is the traditional French wine that we have honor of producing, Saint Emilion Grand Cru.
