When the sun rides high in the heavens, it is time to
bring in the harvest, a time when, in days of old, the whole community came
together. Family, neighbours and friends gathered to work from sunrise to
sundown to bring in the crop. Our sense of community may have changed, but it
is still a time for people, who are passionate about the potential within a
humble bunch of grapes, to come together.
Children still play in the vineyards while brothers or
best friends compete to collect a better share and catch the eye of a pretty
girl. There are refreshments aplenty and food for the soul as well. Sore muscles will be as pleasant a reminder
of a day's work well done as the heft of the grape is of the summer. Yet
nothing is as special as the emptying of overflowing baskets into barrels and
the rolling up of pants – there are grapes to be stomped on and fun to be had –
this is our “Hands-on-Harvest” festival.
Feast your eyes on the intricate art of wine making,
stomp grapes to your hearts’ content or take a leisurely trip through the
vineyards by tractor or on horseback, followed by a scrumptious picnic.
As some of our wineries are not traditionally open
to the public, our focus is on hosting a series of intimate events, ensuring
that visitors are treated to a unique “hands-on” experience.
Come for the day, come for the weekend, come for
the week or stay the entire two months of harvest and experience all that this
beautiful valley has to offer during its Hands-on-Harvest Festival.
All bookings to be made direct with participating wineries. Payment is required in advance. Space is limited and booking essential.