How to Harvest Merlot Grapes
Growing Merlot grapes, pruning the vines and selecting the perfect harvest date are all jobs for experts. However, the actual process of harvesting Merlot grapes is simple enough that some wineries recruit local, unskilled volunteers to get the job done. While some vintners use machines to harvest their crops, most high-end wineries still hand-pick all their grapes. The harvest season for Merlot grapes varies by location; it may be as late as the end of October or as early as the beginning of August. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Grasp a bunch of grapes gently by the stem. Position your fingers near the grapes, leaving a small length of stem between your fingers and the vine.
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Clip the stem by the vine, freeing the grapes. You should now be holding the loose bunch of grapes by the stem.
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Lay the grapes into a plastic box. Handle them gently to avoid bruising the skins. Damage to the skins will cause the grapes to begin fermenting too early.
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Stack bunches of grapes carefully. Begin a new box of grapes before the pressure from the layers becomes risky to the grapes on the bottom.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact your local wineries and ask whether they allow volunteer Merlot harvesting.
Wear sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. Bring water to stay hydrated and bandages in case of accidents. Be prepared for a long day.
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Resources
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