NEWS



The UK wine industry is thriving, and – heading back to East Devon towards the end of a scorching summer – I witnessed this family-run business recording a bumper harvest. Picking several varieties of grape over a three-day period is a labour-intensive task, so the workforce expands to include friends and neighbours. ‘Vendage’ sees the community joining forces to support a local enterprise, creating a focused yet festive atmosphere. This includes a sweepstake to guess the total weight of the crop, with a bottle of fizz as the prize.
Starting early in the morning gives the pickers a head start and enables them to make the most of the cooler conditions.


Solaris grapes … and the tools of the trade.

Pickers start at the top of a slope and work methodically down each row of vines. Once filled, crates are dragged to the bottom of the row and taken by tractor to the barn, ready for collection by the winery.
The harvested grapes await collection. With space at a premium, the adults seek out old bathtubs for the excess fruit, while the youngsters amuse themselves.


The day allocated to picking Rondo grapes begins with a hint of rain in the air.
Picking grapes in the rain is not recommended, though the occasional shower doesn’t do any harm.


When it comes to weighing up the Rondo harvest, the final tally is 2.85 tonnes – an impressive haul.

Once at the winery, the grapes are loaded into a hopper and transported to a mechanical press. From there, it’s just a matter of time until they find their way to your table or picnic basket.
