When we told people we would be helping on a vineyard for a week almost without exception their immediate response was 'what treading grapes?'. Given the time of year we knew that wouldn't be the case. We expected to weed and hoe, trim and tidy; little did we anticipate we would actually be be excavating steps or having a crash course in dry stone seat building.
This week has been an incredible experience. Lizzie and Ali have been wonderful teachers, supportive team builders, great hosts and caring friends. From Day 1 when we first walked through the vines our combined enthusiasm grew to help them in their quest.
Within hours we found ourselves clearing areas and building bonfires. Hoeing has been a high priority and has featured every day but we still have more to do. At first it seemed arduous, however as we became more accustomed to the task we were able to turn it into a positive time to get to know each other. Everyday bonfires have been burning, chain saws screaming and strimmers too. Olive trees choked by years of neglect have been freed of the burden of too much growth, so much so instead of letting the light and rain in there's now room for an albatross to roost.
As we left today the vineyard had four new additions, two dry stone seats, one at the top of the amphitheatre named Louie's seat and another on the edge of New Zealand named the Caux seat with a view of Caux across the vines. In addition two lemon trees have been planted close to the mazet in memory of Chris's Mum, always to be known as Cissie's trees.
There is one day left before we go our separate ways and it won't be enough to finish the hoeing or complete all the tasks on the list but the sun has shone, we will go home fitter than when we arrived and certainly more sympathetic to how much work goes into making a bottle of wine.
Subscribe to this comment's feed