August Uncorked: The Fine Art of Harvesting Grapes

As August rolls around, many are sad that summer is coming to an end. However, at the Boston Winery, we know it’s a great time for wine enthusiasts! This time of year begins the grape harvest when wineries come alive, buzzing with activity. Just think…the grapes that wineries choose right now and their decisions about their harvest will be the wine you’ll uncork in the future.

There’s something about those August grapes!

These decisions are complex. Harvesting grapes at the perfect time is a mastered art passed down through generations. The final wine might be lackluster or bland if the grapes come off the vine prematurely. If harvested too late, the alcohol level could be overpowering, and the wine could lack balance. That’s why it takes a skilled winemaker to know when to choose the grapes that deliver the perfect balance of sugar, alcohol, acidity, and tannins.

Harvesting grapes not only takes skill in timing, but the actual physical work takes work. To protect the grapes from sweltering mid-day heat, work begins in the cooler hours of sunrise, and great care is taken to ensure that the grapes are in good condition when they arrive at the wineries. Once the bounty is delivered, the tasks of destemming and crushing the fruit begin, followed by fermenting. 

Climates differ and fluctuate around the world, so not all of the grapes are harvested at once. The first to be harvested are usually those that make rosé, Champagne, and other sparkling white wines. Picking these grapes early captures and preserves the high acidity and brightness that we love in these refreshing wines.

A labor of love.

Places with more moderate climates, such as the Bordeaux region in France, usually begin to harvest their grapes, such as Merlot, towards the end of August into early September. Around this time, California will also harvest its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc varieties. Moving into late fall and a later harvest, you’ll see them picking Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah, which have more time to acquire higher levels of sugar and more concentrated flavors.

As Boston’s premier winery, we’re committed to the highest standards in winemaking and understand the crucial decisions wineries make when harvesting. We invite you to join us at our New England winery and experience first-hand how we turn the August harvest into exceptional wines.