Touring the world, vineyard by vineyard

September, it’s the month of grape harvests all around the world. This yearly tradition in wine-producing region sparks festivals, feasts and celebrations all the way from France to Chile. Ready to stomp those grapes?

The next time you’re enjoying a nice glass of red or white, think about the farmers and helpers in the “trenches” this year of the year picking those precious, lush and sweet grapes from the vines in France’s Champagne, Beaujolais and Bordeaux regions that will, in a few years, make the delicious wines we love from France and all around the world.

Have you ever had the chance to take part in the annual grape harvest? There’s really nothing like it and the best part comes when all the grapes are in from the vineyards, then the party begins and wine regions celebrate another year’s vintage and celebrate. These photos take you to all four corners of the world where the grapes are just starting to come in: France, the USA, Chile and New Zealand (even if it’s not harvest time in the last two countries yet).

France’s Burgundy region

In France, winemakers welcome visitors from around the world who want to experience the wine culture of France. If you’re on holidays in France this time of the year, you can take part in the harvest, visit the wine cellars, see the grape presses in action and of course taste the fruits of last year’s labours as the newest vintages come out of the barrels, making room for this year’s bounty.

Imgs: The Hungry Cyclist – Food Explorer, Martin Castellan / Flickr cc.

California’s Napa Valley

California produces an astonishing 90% of the wine produced in the USA, the fourth largest producer in the world. Many of the state’s vineyards are located in the north in the Napa Valley area, just a short jaunt from San Francisco.

Flights to San Francisco

Imgs: trail trekker, david bormann, toccatamundi / Flickr cc.

Chile

In Chile and Argentina, the grape harvest doesn’t take place until February when autumn arrives. Thousands of people take part each and every year in the “Fiesta de la Vendimia” to celebrate the year’s grape harvest in the town of Santa Cruz in the middle of the country. It’s the perfect opportunity to join in some local traditions and discover Chile’s wine culture.

Imgs: uncorneredmarket, marfil F, rafa2010 / Flickr cc.

New Zealand

Ah, the landscapes of New Zealand… have you ever seen a country so beautiful? So many young Europeans are heading to this small country in the Pacific with a “working holiday visa” to work on the other side of the world and there’s no better time to roll up your sleeves and jump in than during harvest time when vintners need all the help they can get!

Imgs: Kyle Kruchok, Shaun Quinlan, Trevor Dennis, destina.munro / Flickr cc.

Have you ever had the chance to harvest grapes? In which region?