Viticulture

[grundle]

Does anyone here grow their own grapes, or even better own or work at a vineyard?

I have been interested in viticulture for about 6 years. Every since I went to a winery, I was quite impressed with the setup and amazed by how util a grape vine can be.

I have a potted grape vine that is about 3 years old which I have used to help me learn a little about cultivation. I have tried to make cuttings last year and this year, but having no success. I am not too worried about that though.

I was wondering how open a vineyard would be to a request to "volunteer" at their vineyard doing whatever they need. The unsaid return for my free labour is of course knowledge about how a winery runs, growing grape, and making wine. Is this practice frowned upon, avoided, or do you think a vineyard would be open to a free labourer who just wants to "learn the ropes"?

How would you go about broaching the subject with the vineyard owner/manager?

[mountain mama]

Find a vineyard near you and just ask. The worst they could do is say "no".
My MIL grows grapes. We use them for eating, making jams, dolmades, and I dabble a bit with wine-making. If you don't find a vineyard, there is plenty of literature online.

[grundle]

Yes, very good points. I have downloaded a ton of literature, so I am not too worried about finding information about the practice.

For the most part I am mostly interested in the scale of such a venture. Seeing how much work is involved, as well as seeing what their accepted methodologies are. Also timing is important to me as well. When do they prune, when do they harvest, how do they protect their crop. A lot of minutiae that may or may not be covered in a general text, or could vary depending on what region you live in.

As many of us know, sometimes the transition between literature and successful practice can be a bit difficult. Also I feel that I am a kinsthetic learner, meaning I learn quickest and best by engaging in the activity I am trying to learn. Doing it by myself at this point is only limiting my progress.

[grundle]

The wife gave me permission to actually do this. I suppose that the low replies means there aren't many grape growers in the community.

I will keep you all updated on my progress. We will see how accepting people are to free labour :)

If this doesn't work maybe I'll talk to a farmer, a butcher, a rancher, or a gunsmith. I am sure there is someone somewhere who will pay me with knowledge

[mountain mama]

best of luck, grundle! I just don't know if anything we provide here would be any more useful to you than what is already available on the web. As you said, nothing makes up for actual hands-on experience.

[trax]

grundle, I don't know diddly about grape growing, but if you're willing to work just for the experience, I'm pretty sure that any vineyard owner you let know that will be glad to take you on.