A little mini update from the vineyards…
‘Les Vendanges’ (harvest) will begin remarkably late for us this year, with picking beginning as late as one week from now. Yes we’re enjoying beautiful sunny days in these first few days of September, but the grapes are having a hard time ripening due to 2013’s fairly cool Spring and late Summer. Waiting waiting waiting. Benji’s getting those annual, pre-mens vendanges nerves and I’m keeping food on the table…
But even if the grapes aren’t all sweet and ripe for the picking, there is some ripe fruit to be had… After an evening’s inspection of the vignes (vines), we’ve been tucking into the wild mures (blackberries) out the back!…
And hey Dad, Happy Birthday!!….
The Vigneron's Wife 
Was worrying about the lack of activity . Thought they’d forgotten about vendanges . Hope all goes well once you start . Bill
ah September the most glorious time in the Minervois !!
The harvest was such a fantastic time (and bloody hard work too). Memories about my family worrying about the rain. And me as a kid so secretly happy about the raindrops I could hear on the roof at 5 am because it meant no harvest that day :).
Enjoy. And I hope everything goes well, may the weather gods be with you!
Thanks a lot Marilyne. It sounds like you know the harvest feeling very well! Do you still have vines in the family?
I remember praying for rain too one year (and feeling very guilty about it because of the Boss) after picking for 30 days straight.
Yes, my father still has some vines in Pouzols and my brother and his girlfriend run a Domaine in Laure… Been ages since I have not been around during harvest time though…
Your family is so close Marilyne! I love the wine from the cave co-op in Pouzols… and we have a great friend working for a domain in Laure. Small world of wine!
I wish I was there for the wild blackberry picking !!
That would be great fun!…
Good luck to you both…I cannot wait to try the latest vintages in due course xx
Thanks Jill, it’s all go soon!