The harvest at Bader-Mimeur

arvests generally start mid September. Perfect timing is essential to obtain a great wine as the harvest is all by hand. I say that the grapes need to be cut with love.

A few words on the procedure of the harvest:

Recruitment of harvesters :

About 75% of the harvesters are regulars, mainly students from many countries.
They are housed and fed at the Domaine , and reserved their places from one year to the next !

>> Apply for the next harvest

The Evening

Greeted at Chagny station or at the Domaine if travelling by car, the harvesters gather on the eve of the harvest to get to know each other and form into good teams.

After a short tour presenting the Domaine, the reception dinner is held with the owners including the traditional “Pot au Feu”.

Questions from everyone, what has happended since last years’ harvests ?
Finally, distribution of the equipment, wax, boots, secateurs….everyone goes to bed

First day of harvesting :

7h15
Breakfast together
7h45
Rendez vous, ready to go .

7h50
s The tractor and trailer leave with the cases, the baskets, the buckets, the flaks of drinking water , followed by the harvesters.

8h00
Briefings for the newcomers and revision for the returning crew. Security – the recommended position for the cutting, the choice of grapes (unripe, ripe, too ripe) The arrangements for the “carriers”, and those who select grapes according to their state of ripeness. The “cutters” with their baskets are placed at the top of the rows. The “carriers” are placed. The “selecters” line up their cases near the trailer.
Take courage !

10h15
First break :
Tea, coffee, how many sugars ? Finally, it is not as tough as that they murmur

10h30
Continue….for another week !!

THE FINAL DAY OF HARVESTING :

OK another harvest in excellent conditions. Everyone is satisfied.
Now the celebrations with a Coq au Vin (evidently cooked in Chassagne Montrachet!) accompanied by several bottles of the same wine.
This is the party named in Burgundy: “LA PAULEE”

One recalls the affection of everyone and dreams only to meet again at the next harvest.

>> Apply for the next harvest

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