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Grape Harvest
Central Kentucky and Washington County Residents recently enjoyed the third annual Wine Tasting hosted by the BPW (Business and Professional Women). Washington County wineries and/or wine makers were present to showcase their wines and allow attendees to sample the best of Washington County wines. And, while many enjoyed the wine - few understand the process, time, effort and energy it takes to bring that wine to the finished stages. This gallery is a "day in the life" of Washington County/Willisburg wine makers Eric and Kathy Ringo (Long Lick Vineyard) and Bob and Ann Karsner (Horseshoe Bend Winery). From harvest to wine pressing this is the journey from "Vine to Wine."

My very heartfelt thanks to Eric, Kathy, Bob and Ann for allowing me to follow them around for a day and a half to take these photos and for their patience in explaining the process to me. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
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> Grapes must be cut from the vine, then leaves and smaller bunches trimmed off of the vine before being placed into a container for transport. World wine experts can actually tell the difference in the taste of wine whose grapes were picked by hand and wine whose grapes were picked by machine. The difference is so noticeable that the better quality wine makers pay more for hand picked grapes. (c) 2005 Photo by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
> Containers still damp with the morning dew begin to grow higher as the morning goes on. Up to 10 tons of grape may be picked and processed on a good day. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
> With the bad weather, bird damage and dry temps this year Eric Ringo is thrilled with his harvest. "I didn't think I'd have a harvest this year," he said. Instead, he's seeing tons of produce come off of the vines. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
> Grape Harvest photo
> The work is painstaking and precise. Grape bunches are often hidden by leaves and vine clusters. The stems are too tough to tear and must be clipped with pruning clips one at a time. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
> As each "lug" or container is filled it is carried back to the end of the row where it is loaded by hand onto a truck for transport. Empty containers are brought back and dropped along the rows for the next load. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
> As each "lug" or container is filled it is carried back to the end of the row where it is loaded by hand onto a truck for transport. Empty containers are brought back and dropped along the rows for the next load. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
> As each "lug" or container is filled it is carried back to the end of the row where it is loaded by hand onto a truck for transport. Workers develop strong arms and backs from the work and may easily lift over a hundred containers in a day. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
> Sunlight streaming through the vines and leaves highlights the fruit. Grapes are harvested at their highest sugar content of the season. Chemistry and testing helps growers determine the best time to harvest, but the most reliable indicator of the grapes reaching their sugary sweet peak is the birds. "When you see the birds starting to get into the grapes you know they're just about perfect," Ringo says. (c) 2005 Photo by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
As each "lug" or container is filled it is carried back to the end of the row where it is loaded by hand onto a truck for transport. Empty containers are brought back and dropped along the rows for the next load. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
As each "lug" or container is filled it is carried back to the end of the row where it is loaded by hand onto a truck for transport. Empty containers are brought back and dropped along the rows for the next load. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
As each "lug" or container is filled it is carried back to the end of the row where it is loaded by hand onto a truck for transport. Empty containers are brought back and dropped along the rows for the next load. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.
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