The email pinged into my inbox yesterday: my local winery in Devon was inviting me back to pick grapes after I volunteered for a day among the vines last year. Wasn’t it very damp and chilly? – er, yes. Muddy and toilsome? Yep, that too. And as for the spiders… Despite all that, the 2024 grape harvest (aka vintage) is starting, and here’s why I’ll be donning the anti-snip gloves again.
Why do it?
To help your local vineyard/winery; some depend heavily on volunteers and simply wouldn’t exist without them. Some vineyards are set up as community projects, others are registered charities.
What do you get out of it?
Camaraderie. Grape picking is a great way to meet like-minded people, while doing something outdoors which is good for physical* and mental health. There’s a fun, purposeful atmosphere, and whether you’re actively picking or on a break from snipping, it’s sociable. You’ll discover a lot about how grapes are grown and how wine is made. And when, months or years later, you come across the wine from that vintage, it’s incredibly satisfying to know you played a part in creating it.
*As long as you are careful with the secateurs…
Best bits
Anyone can do it. As grapes are generally trained high up off the ground, picking them is not nearly as strenuous or back-breaking as some might think. You don’t need to be especially fit or strong either and no previous experience is required. Volunteering can be a family day for two or even three generations (though note a few vineyards don’t allow children to pick). The free hot drinks, cakes, lunches and occasional sips of wine are very welcome; some wineries give you a bottle to take home. And on a sunny day, the views across the vines can be enchanting.
Worst bits
Showers, although if heavy rain is forecast, the picking will be postponed. Then there are the wasps, hornets, spiders and flies. If you really hate bugs and creepy crawlies, it might not be for you. Mud – wear proper wellies or sturdy boots, never flip-flops or sandals. And the loos can be a bit basic.
How to prepare
In the run up, check for messages from the vineyard postponing in case of bad weather. As well as boots, take waterproof jackets and trousers unless it’s been very dry. Heavy dew can linger on the vines and you’ll be leaning into them. Take sunscreen and a hat if hot weather is forecast. A water bottle is essential. Check with the vineyard whether they are providing secateurs (known as ‘snips’ here), gloves (some have special anti-snip gloves to guard against the sharp blades) and buckets. If you don’t want to do any heavy lifting, make sure you let the vineyard staff know.
What to expect when you get there
A warm welcome! Although volunteer picks have a fairly informal air about them, vineyards are working farms so you should get a safety talk at the beginning of your shift as well as instructions on how to pick grapes and the quality/ripeness of fruit to look out for. You’ll probably be working either in pairs or small groups each side of a row of vines. The work is to snip off ripe bunches of grapes, collecting them in buckets then transferring full buckets to crates at the end of rows. These are usually carted off by the professional team.
Eight volunteer harvests to try
Dunesforde Vineyard, Upper Dunsforth, York
One of the most northerly vineyards in the UK, Dunesforde ‘relies’ on volunteers; last year 120 pickers helped the Townsend family to harvest nine tons of grapes. Volunteers can also help with vineyard management throughout the year. Seven days of harvest are planned in October – see the calendar online. Start time is at 8am, finishing with a packed lunch of local homemade food and wine at about 1pm. Hot drinks, biscuits, snips and gloves all provided.
dunesforde.com
Kerry Vale Vineyard, Pentreheyling, Shropshire
Kerry Vale is right on the border with Wales; the next field along is Welsh. Russell and Jan Cooke own four acres of vines and have 20 or so volunteers to help. They are aiming for three full days of picking between late September, through October and occasionally into November. The day starts at 8am, there’s a mid-morning break, a ‘hearty lunch of locally sourced produce with wine,’ then tea and cakes at 3.30-4pm. Sign up online; ideally bring your own gloves, snips provided.
kerryvalevineyard.co.uk
Warden Abbey Vineyard, Old Warden, Bedfordshire
Planted in the late 1980s, this 4.6 acre vineyard south of Bedford is run by the community and managed by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity. Regular volunteers work here all year round, but there’s a big push to get up to 70 people to help with one day of picking, estimated to take place this year in mid-October. Start is 9am and picking goes on till lunch time. Although there is running water at the vineyard, there is no power so bring a thermos and snacks. All equipment is provided and experienced coordinators will be there on the day. Register interest by email (info@wardenvineyard.org.uk).
wardenabbeyvineyard.org.uk
Forty Hall Vineyard, Enfield, London
This 10-acre organic vineyard in north London is a social enterprise and registered charity managed by Capel Manor Environmental College. There are spaces for guest volunteers to assist the year-round helpers, especially at harvest. Picks are expected to start from Wednesday October 2 through the month. Meet at 8am for hot drinks and a briefing; supervised picking lasts from 90 mins to three hours. Cakes from a local bakery are up for grabs and there’s a toast to the vintage on the last day. All equipment is provided. Register your interest online
fortyhallvineyard.com
Huxbear Vineyard, Chudleigh, Devon
Ben & Lucy Hulland own a family-run vineyard and winery with 15 acres of grapes. Harvest is likely to start on September 30 with six or seven days of picking sporadically until the third week of October. Hot drinks and lunch are provided, as are snips and snip-resistant gloves. The day starts at 9.30am and ends about 4pm. Sign up online.
huxbear.co.uk
Oastbrook Estate Vineyard, Robertsbridge, East Sussex
America & Nick Brewer farm 15 acres of grapes near the banks of the river Rother. As well as hiring professional pickers, they welcome volunteers for several days each harvest, starting at 9am and ending around 5pm. Current plans are to pick on October 10, 11, 17 & 18 but check dates online. A hot lunch is provided and pickers get a bottle of wine to take home. Snips are given out; bring suitable gloves.
oastbrook.com
Albury Vineyard, Guildford, Surrey
Nick Wenman and daughter Lucy own Albury in the Surrey Hills, growing 20 acres of vines organically and biodynamically. Voluntary work at harvest time is usually on Sundays in the first half of October, with occasional weekday picks too. Starting at 8.30am, the day wraps up at around 2pm with a light lunch and a glass of wine. Sign up online; no children under 16. Snips and gloves provided.
alburyvineyard.com
Pebblebed Vineyards, Clyst St George, Devon
Pebblebed was started as a community project by the late Geoff Bowen and ten local families in 1999. Now owned by nearby Darts Farm and run by winemaker Alex Mills, it still relies on up to 300 volunteers at harvest to pick 18 acres of grapes; this year the provisional dates are October 6, 19 and 20, starting at 10am and lasting until 1-2pm. A hot lunch – typically pulled pork rolls – follows and there’s often live music. All ages welcome. Equipment supplied to all who need it but you can bring your own. Register online, or “just turn up”!
dartsfarm.co.uk
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