Pecorino harvesting

This is how Pecorino grapes look like. The bunch is distinctly compact and grapes very small. Compared to most wine grapes the skin is remarkably soft, almost like table grape. Sheep (pecora in Italian) go crazy after these:

Harvesting:

For Pecorino we use a traditional Abruzzi cultivation system called tendone where the vines extend over the space between the rows and form a kind of roof. Inevitably grapes have to be hand-picked using a special bucket. After a day's hand-picking the sensation is the same as having painted the ceiling:

I like these before-and-after moments:

Antonio. He had a bad hair day and was rather reluctant about being photographed:

Just a random shot of September sun shining through grape leaves:

Another random poetic shot of a a vine branch:

On the left our Pecorino grapes, on the right our neighbours' Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that will be harvested later in October:

Vendemmia 2010: day 4

The fourth day was the last day of Pinot Grigio harvesting. The girls were eager to pick more grapes but unfortunately the other white varieties Pecorino and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo where not ready yet.

Pinot Grigio grapes a moment before being harvested:
One word. Harvesting:

Hali demonstrates fresh Pinot Grigio harvest:

Job done!:

The tools:

Lunch:

Panini make wonderful models. They never close their eyes nor shift from the position:

Healthy tomato salad. Just tomatoes, some onion, some carrot, basil leaves and olive oil:

Teambuilding:

Healthy dessert:

Hali, the cat and the lemon tree:

Typical starters of the mountain cuisine of Abruzzi:

Probably the most famous Abruzzi dish - the arrosticini (lamb meat on a stick):

Vendemmia 2010: day 3

Actually on day 3 (which was Sunday) we didn't pick grapes with our guests. Instead we went to visit some lovely places hidden in the Appenine mountains.

Scanno lake. The mountains, the air, the transparent water. Just marvellous:

Scanno town is famous for its artisan jewellery:

At some point we felt a very inviting smell of fresh bisquits. Following our noses we found this - handmade bisquits:
This tiny bisquit store is run by a lovely couple who made the tastiest bisquits in the world: We could taste everything and also saw how the bisquits are made:

Typical street of Scanno:

Last look at Scanno:
Who has ever been to Sulmona, will never forget this sight! Sulmona is famous for its traditional candies (confetti) and the flowers with candy-petals are typical of this place :

Inside the candy-store:

On the food market:

Dried fruit on the food market:

Typical local cheese:

"Confetti Pelino" is the best known candy-factory of Sulmona:

We also came across a very old candy store:

Back on the food market where some quite graphic design elements were on display:

Salami and pane pugliese:

Pinot Grigio harvesting: day 2

Remember the breakfast table of the previous day? On this photo you can see how quickly the girls have acclimatized, eating breakfast like Italians:

The best things in life...:

Hali in action:

Strike a pose!:

Rural still life:

Bacchus:

Rocco in action:

Mister D in action:

Modern viticulturists connect with the world after hard day's work:

Pinot Grigio harvesting: Day 1

This year we opened our vineyards and the winery to three sommeliers from Estonia who came to live the experience of harvesting. Here are the photos.



The first morning. Girls have no idea about what to expect:

Hali is getting ready:

Ene is getting ready:

Hali is conducting the sensorial analysis of Montepulciano d'Abuzzo grapes:

.. and is joined by Alis:

Ene gathering journalistic material:

Mister B:
The sun... 35 degrees.. and the rows are so so long...:

Fresh Pinot Grigio harvest:

One word. Harvesting:

Job done!

Ene The Journalist remains true to her profession:

Bye bye grapes!

Winemaker Giacomo takes over from here: