Amazing Grapes

It's getting close to harvest time in Connecticut. This year because we don't have grapes to harvest, we decided to call Russell Holmberg of Holmberg Orchards to see whether he was harvesting or not and if he could use some help. Russell was in the midst of juggling apple picking as well as grape picking and he said if we could spare some time, he would welcome our help. He had 3 people picking his grapes and yesterday they finished 6 rows and got 4 tons of grapes! When we arrived, we saw evidence of grapes being picked but for a few minutes, did not see anyone. I took this photo of the Pinot Blanc grapes that we were there to harvest.

The grapes were beautiful and the canopy was green and well maintained. The alleys were nicely mowed and the vine rows were clean. After a few moments,we ran into Joe, who directed us to see Federico and Juan. Federico showed us how to pick the grapes and showed us some bunches that looked good but were sour! It was a slight difference in the turgidity of the grape bunch that clued you in on the potential for sourness in the bunch. I have never seen such pristine looking grapes in Connecticut. It was amazing as was the tonnage that Russell was able to achieve!