During the picking, each hand picker sorts out precisely and systematicaly bunch by bunch.
The crates of fruit are then emptied on vibrating and draining sorting bands. Once again, they are cleaned before and after destemming.
Then, tanks are filled by gravity to preserve the berry integrity before vinification. Photos François Poincet.
The day these pictures were shot. We were honored with the visit of Commandery de Bordeaux Manila at Domaine de Chevalier.
We began picking grapes for our 2011 white wine on Tuesday, the 23rd of August.
This early date was expected, since the historically dry, warm spring gave the growing season a 15-day head start, which was maintained until the harvest.
Contrary to some impressions, showers in the latter half of July and again week 22-26/08, were extremely beneficial to us: they hastened ripening and kept the vine metabolism at peak efficiency. The danger of grey rot was kept at bay by the even distribution of bunches on the vines, leaf thining, and carefully sorting at harvest to remove any damaged grappes.
Analyses of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes picked in the first wave (only golden-coloured bunches harvested in the morning) are superb and the first barrels are already fermenting.
The first wave of harvesting in every plots of Sauvignon Blanc is completed and a second in certain plots.
Next week's picking will be planned according to daily developments (especially with regard to the weather).
Sémillon wil be harvested after the Sauvignon Blanc.