Nicole Mading starts the day by helping to remove the nets
The other key net person is Janice Bathols
Shed worker Dave has the easy job driving the tractor
Janice makes sure the net winds on correctly
A lovely autumnal morning
It's important that people understand why we don't have people entering the vineyard without permission
The nets need to be tied securely so that they roll on cleanly next year
We use balers twine to wrap the nets
Early in the morning the grass is moist
220m of 13m wide net
The roses are superb this year
The pickers arrive and we have just managed to get the grass mown
40 friends and customers bring in the 2010 crop
We use an air bag press and before we started destemming todays batch we have a small batch from 2 weeks ago to press
Once again the Toro is bringing in the buckets
Graeme and Lesley receive picking instructions from Wendy
Yes, we have a "Guide to picking"
Tyson looks for the perfect bunch
Marg wants to be a cut above the rest
Cheryl doesn't want to cut a finger
Graeme missed last year so is happy to get back into it
First timer Graham is happy to join the team
Grahams wife Lesley is also keen
Another first timer Jan is keen to get it right.
Mary-Ellen is deep into concentrating on the task
Husband Kevin is now a practised pro
Lynne is well protected from the hot sun
Mr. Lincoln rose
The fruit is in great condition
The detemming team of Joel, David and Leah
Lloyd was seconded to run the spit roast.
A bountiful bucket
Janice and Nicky use Toro to collect the full buckets and take them to the winery
They also recycle the buckets to the pickers
16 buckets a trip
Waiting for Toro
One patch was still netted so we had to carry the buckets to the end of the row
Sally and daughter Eliza had a great day
Jackie was on song and kept Geoff in tempo
Neil finds the balance
M. l'eveque is here for his 31st year of picking for us
Esper Che found out about the pick when crusing the net and as "Newbies" had a great time
Paul is a seasoned pro now
Alan has been helping since 1984
Lynne was bright
Waiting for Toro 2
Lunch was ready
David, Joel, Lesley and Graham tuck in
Scott, Nicky and Libbie polished off the tucker too
Lovely day, work done so the food and wine is appreciated
David B, Paul and Mae-Louise relax over lunch
Wendy dishes up as Russel and Heather go for seconds
Teachers corner
Carol, Paul and Jenny
The salad was mostly Estate grown
Joel feeds the destemmer
At the end of a long day as the sun sets we gather for a Chardonnay
Moon rise at sunset!
