Harvest Time in La Hood

Wine making is a bit of a mystery to me. My first exposure was that famous “I Love Lucy” episode where Lucy “dances” barefoot in the grapes…and ends up in a knock down drag out grape/wine fight. Well, times have changed. Lately, the usual quiet of Eynesse has been replaced by the sounds of motors. Agricultural equipment to be precise–grape harvesters and tractors pulling “trailers.” The harvesters are “belle machines” that are able to drive efficiently through vines, removing clusters of grapes as they roll. They work a row or two, depending on the size of the field being harvested an at the end of the row, empty the grapes into the waiting trailer. When the trailer is filled, the tractor pulls off and takes the grapes to the grange (barn) where the vats await. The trailers are a marvel in themselves. They have slanted sides on the inside which, when connected to machinery at the grange, cause the grapes to be moved (via a cork-screw like mechanism and juice…literally) into the vats. For a “newbie”, this whole process is fascinating. I’m liking the new neighborhood. But in truth, I like it better after the belle machines leave.