Friends, the harvest/crush was everything I had hoped for...and a tad bit more. Being surrounded by the glorious beauty of vineyards, fresh air, and fun-loving friends was a total added bonus to the amazing awe that filled my soul as I helped harvest 1,000 pounds of cabernet sauvignon grapes. I literally caught myself grinning from ear-to-ear as my bin grew full and my hands were soaked in fresh grape juice. For those few hours, I was in harmony with nature and nothing else mattered.
We picked, we laughed, we ate delicious local food, and we crushed {a hand-cranked machine de-vined the plump, juicy grapes}, and we tasted...oh my goodness, I've never tasted grape juice so incredibly amazing. If I were not into delicious wine, I would say forgo the fermenting process and just indulge in the purity of the first stage of crush. Wow! Oh how I wish I could share a glass with each of you...it was that amazing.
So if ever given the opportunity to offer free labor to pick grapes, take it. I guarantee it will be a moment in time you will never forget.
[Reverie-Daydream Images]
