Harvest Time at Camping Manjastre

Harvesting the grapes at Camping Manjastre.  An exciting time for the volunteers but no doubt a tense time for the owners.  They have to worry about the rain - too much or not enough, ripening of the grapes, sugar content and keeping the wild pigs away from the grapes.  It must be quite a relief when it is all finished.

However there is a great sense of comaraderie amongst the grape pickers, and a common feeling of trying to do a good job, even though many of us are mere amateurs.  There are three languages being spoken, French, Dutch and English, and often all at the same time.

Each day at 9 am we arrive at the designated area of vines. If the area is at the back of the campsite, which is down a hill, then we get a ride on the back of the truck.  No worries about restrictive health and safety regulations here.

The grape vines in the photographs below are in front of our site.   The main road is behind the grape vines.

The tractor and trailer are placed between the rows of vines.

Then its heads down as we busily cut the grapes and fill our buckets, which are regularly emptied by the younger members.  The biggest problem is making sure to keep fingers away from the secateurs.  Walter managed to cut his finger this year.  And the chef.  Plenty of blood on both accounts.  Adds to the flavour of the wine.

A few minutes pause to stretch the back muscles.  The vines are quite low.  Not good for the people who are tall.

Then back into it again.

A full load of grapes, ready to take to the co-operative.

But we are told to keep going, as there are plans to line the trailer of the truck with plastic.

And so we filled the back of the truck as well.   Usually we fill a trailer up with grapes, and while it is being taken to the co-operative we have coffee.  Then we fill another trailer and then it is time for pastis.  Not that I like pastis so I opt for a few glasses of iced water instead.

Now I know I should know the grape varieties we are picking, but I do not so my apologies to all the wine buffs that read this blog.  All I know is that the grapes join all the other grapes at the co-operative and it is made into very drinkable wine.  No additives either.

I am rather partial to the red wine, labelled Camping Manjastre.   A very pleasant light wine.