What it's really like to be a vineyard volunteer

Some experiences are hard to put into words. A week and a half helping bring in a harvest, getting your hands dirty, watching the sun rise over rows of vines, and drinking natural wine at the end of a long day is one of them. Sarah has shared her story of when she, and her husband, joined a vineyard host, and spent 10 days living and working on the property during harvest season.

Early mornings and the best kind of tired

We got up early each day, had coffee and all sorts of different breakfast bits, then drove about eight minutes to the vineyard from the host property. The tractor was already there when we arrived, along with the vineyard owner's mum, who has been doing this for years and is now in her 70s! She was an absolute trooper, happy throughout the entire day and into the evening, even though harvest season is genuinely stressful for the owners as there's such a small window to pick the grapes, and everyone knows it.

There were so many different tools, machines and processes that I loved learning about. Even the tractor was interesting to get up close to, I've never seen one so small as it needed to be narrow enough to drive between the vines without damaging them. We each had a crate and worked to keep pace with each other, while the tractor moved up the rows collecting the filled crates.

Watching the sunrise come up over the vines, breathing in the fresh air, hearing all the different birds and animals around you — it was one of those mornings where you feel properly awake. We stopped after a few rows for a snack and more coffee, and by then the camaraderie amongst everyone picking was buzzing. We sang, laughed and raced eachother for the best "bunch".

What you learn when you're actually there

Each day brought something new. We learnt about the vines themselves, the different bugs that live in and amongst them, how the rows are managed. It's the kind of detail you'd never get on a vineyard tour.

Back at the farm, we unloaded the grapes into a large press, a serious piece of machinery. On day 2 though, the press broke!! The vineyard owner had to source a replacement right in the middle of harvest season, which is about the worst timing imaginable. He managed it, and by day 4 we were back to normal with an even bigger press. Watching him navigate that, calmly and practically, was its own kind of education.

The filtering system and the tanks behind the press were just as interesting to learn about. We've been on vineyard tours before, but this behind-the-scenes access is something else entirely. I just wish I could retain all the information. 😅

The food, the wine, and the people

The owner made organic food throughout our stay, including a slow-roasted pork on the BBQ that was hard to forget. He'd also brought in a keg from the local brewery specifically for an after-picking pint when we got back each day. It was a lot of hard graft to pick and press each day, but he really fed and watered us well - We've got so many memories from those dinners!

We tried the wine the vineyard produced, which was genuinely delicious, and also worked through a selection of bottles from other vineyards the owner had been given. It was natural wine only there, and the difference compared to a supermarket bottle is noticeable in a way that's difficult to describe until you've tasted it.

The accommodation and the people we met

We stayed in the farmhouse itself, in one of two spare rooms. Me and my husband had a private room, shared a bathroom with the one other volunteer staying in the second room, and had access to a big communal lounge area. It felt exactly like work-for-accom should; like being a guest, not a worker.

We absolutely loved the whole experience and would go back for another harvest season without hesitation. The work is physical, but the knowledge you pick up and the memories made are genuine. There's nothing quite like being part of something that only happens once a year.

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