It's Harvest Time in Paso Robles Wine Country
Harvest time in wine country is the most exciting time of year. If you live on a road with at least a dozen wineries within four miles, as I do, there is something going on almost every weekend, and usually competing events. There are First Crush events and Harvest Celebrations. That means concerts and food, and lots of wine tasting. You can smell the aroma of crushed grapes as you drive past.
Grapes Ready for Harvest, © B. Radisavljevic |
Watching the Harvest
Since I live so close to so many vineyards, I've had opportunities to watch the grape harvest, especially at my neighbor's winery, Croad Vineyards. That link will take you to more photos and videos of the Croad harvest as I saw it. Earlier this year I also had the opportunity to watch the bottling truck in action.
This video shows you how the wine actually gets into the bottles as I witnessed it.
The Grape Vines at Harvest Time
The vines themselves are laden with purple fruit. Usually by harvest time the leaves have turned into the various shades of red, rust, and gold. After the grapes are harvested, they are gathered in plastic bins for processing. They may go into a machine such as the one in the poster below at Zenaida Cellars in Paso Robles to have the stems removed. People stand by to make sure everything works properly and nothing is missed.
One of the most popular wineries in autumn is Niner Estates, home to Heart Hill, pictured on a poster below. The natural heart-shaped grove of oak trees was on the hill long before the vineyards were planted around it. It's beautiful at any time of year, but in fall around harvest time the vines frame the heart with autumn colors. Heart Hill appears on many of my Zazzle products, including postcards, necklaces, keychains, plaques, ornaments, and more. They can be customized to remove, change, or add your own text.
One of the most popular wineries in autumn is Niner Estates, home to Heart Hill, pictured on a poster below. The natural heart-shaped grove of oak trees was on the hill long before the vineyards were planted around it. It's beautiful at any time of year, but in fall around harvest time the vines frame the heart with autumn colors. Heart Hill appears on many of my Zazzle products, including postcards, necklaces, keychains, plaques, ornaments, and more. They can be customized to remove, change, or add your own text.
Poster: Heart Hill, Paso Robles, in Autumn PosterHarvest Time PosterSorting and De-stemming at Zenaida Winery PosterGrapes and Harvest Poster
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You can find more scenes from harvest time on Zazzle products in my collection Harvest Season in California Wine Country
Visit Paso Robles Wine Country
The City of Paso Robles and the surrounding rural areas of Templeton and San Miguel are home to over 200 different wineries. If you are a wine lover, it's worth a trip here. If you come, you will want to try some of the award-winning wines at Sculpterra Winery. While you are there you can enjoy its famous sculpture garden and enjoy its Sunday afternoon concerts. It's one of my favorite places. It's about ten miles east of the city of Paso Robles.
The wineries closest to my home are Croad Vineyards, Niner Estates, ZinAlley, Donati Family, and Aron Hill -- all on Highway 46 or close to it. Other 46 West wineries where I often shoot photos for my Zazzle products are Zenaida Cellars, Castoro Cellers, Peachy Canyon, and Doce Robles. If you click through to my Zazzle collection linked to above, you will see photos from some of those wineries on my products.
More Photos of Wine Country During Harvest Season
Doce Robles Scene During Harvest Season, © B. Radisavljevic |
Croad Vineyard at Harvest Time, © B. Radisavljevic |
Hay and Autumn Vineyards at Doce Robles, © B. Radisavljevic This scene appears on many of my products |
I hope you've enjoyed your virtual tour of wine country at harvest time. Be sure to pick up a souvenir from this trip at California Wine Country Memories and Gifts.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I really enjoyed your 'virtual' tour of the wine country near Paso Robles, California. Having lived in that area for a number of years, your lovely photos bring back some wonderful memories. My brother used to make his own wine and I know he would really enjoy visiting your wine country!
ReplyDeleteI know I'd miss seeing all the seasons of the vineyards if I ever moved.
DeleteThanks for a behind the scene. I never knew how, now I do :)
ReplyDeleteFor most of my life I'd never thought to wonder. But when I heard about the bottling trucks, I did become curious as to how they operated. I thought others might like to see it, too.
DeleteOh, wow! When I saw the photo, I assumed Heart Hill was man created. It is even more breathtaking now that I know it is a gift from God. So beautiful! The colors of the vineyard around it are stunning. Gorgeous photo Barb! Actually, all of your photos are lovely. That was just the one that most captured my attention. I know the grape photos would be awesome in any kitchen decor. I could easily imagine a cutting board with the grapes and harvest photo.
ReplyDeleteI'd never thoght of making a cutting board. Maybe I'll go do that. A great idea! Thank you.
DeleteWhat a fun tour. That area is gorgeous. Thank you. I love that photo of the hay wagon. It brings back memories of baling hay and straw a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun tour. That area is gorgeous. Thank you. I love that photo of the hay wagon. It brings back memories of baling hay and straw a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the hay harvested and baled is all new to me, since I lived in the suburbs most of my life. One thing I treasure about living in this area is the connection I feel now to the seasons as I watch the hay, the oaks, and the vineyards.
DeleteI'd love not only to see wine country in the fall but to smell the fragrance of the grapes that permeates the air. Your photos are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt's an aroma you don't forget. It's everywhere for a couple of weeks. It's an exciting time.
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