Harvesting Petit Verdot at Barrel Oak Winery

October 5, 2013

The Last Harvest of the Southwestern French Grape

After a somewhat tough year due to frost and birds, winemakers Rick Tagg and Sharon Roeder headed out with some workers to pick the last of the grapes from the Petit Verdot vineyard on October 3, 2013. I went out to Barrel Oak Winery on a whim and because of the government shutdown. I’ve been barred from going into work or doing work for the National Cancer Institute until they reopen. So, instead of documenting cancer research and providing images for patient education materials, I was not using my talents. I decided to head out to Delaplane, VA and the wine-rich hills of Barrel Oak Winery and do something constructive with my camera.

In just a few minutes after my arrival, I ran into Rick who told me I was in luck, “This is the last day we’ll be harvesting. We’ll be in that field over there.”
That is pretty lucky since I was only expecting to get a few landscape shots before the light got too harsh. I wasn’t expecting to capture a harvest.

So, I walked down from the chateau area into field where the reddish-purple grapes were waiting to be picked and turned into wine. The sky and weather were … perfect.

A tractor heads down toward the Petit Verdot vineyards for the harvest.
A tractor heads down toward the Petit Verdot vineyards for the harvest.
 This wonderful view is from the parking lot of Barrel Oak Winery.

This wonderful view is from the parking lot of Barrel Oak Winery.
Another view from the parking lot near the chateau.
Another view from the parking lot near the chateau.
Horses grazing the morning light on a neighboring property.
Horses grazing the morning light on a neighboring property.
These large balloon-like objects help scare birds away from the vulnerable grapes.
These large balloon-like objects help scare birds away from the vulnerable grapes.
Harvesters work quickly, snipping bunches into baskets.
Harvesters work quickly, snipping bunches into baskets.
Workers have a lot of snipping to do through these long rows of vineyards.
Workers have a lot of snipping to do through these long rows of vineyards.
Winemaker Rick Tagg harvesting the last of the Petit Verdot grapes.
Winemaker Rick Tagg harvesting the last of the Petit Verdot grapes.
A worker snips off a clump of Petit Verdot grapes. These guys are fast!
A worker snips off a clump of Petit Verdot grapes. These guys are fast!
A worker shows a harvested clump Petit Verdot grapes.
A worker shows a harvested clump Petit Verdot grapes.
Juicy grapes in baskets waiting to transform into wine.
Juicy grapes in baskets waiting to transform into wine.
 Barrel Oak Winery's harvesting bins spell "bow wow" because the owners love dogs and their winery is dog-friendly.

Barrel Oak Winery’s harvesting bins spell “bow wow” because the owners love dogs and their winery is dog-friendly.
 A worker inspects the next section of grapes he must harvest before doing so.

A worker inspects the next section of grapes he must harvest before doing so.
Rows and rows of vines.
Rows and rows of vines.
A bee inspects the Petit Verdot grapes on the final day of harvesting at Barrel Oak Winery.
A bee inspects the Petit Verdot grapes on the final day of harvesting at Barrel Oak Winery.

As I got ready to leave, Sharon said, “Next time you come out here, we’re giving you a pair of snippers!”

Maybe.

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