Harvest 2021 – Intense and nail biting – photo journal Feely vineyard
Hurrah! and another Hurrah! Harvest 2021 is safely in the winery. We started on 6 September with merlot for delicious Feely sparkling brut methode traditionelle – and pulled off an intense 13 days of hand harvesting to finish on 28 September with the Cabernet Sauvignon for Vérité 2021. Scroll on for a photo journal of harvest 2021 at Chateau Feely.
Winegrower setting up the empty buckets before we start.
First day and looking strong. Roddy, our bucket man, a critical component of a smooth hand picking operation.
We were stunned at the overall quality and quantity. We had estimated more damage from frost and mildew than we found had in the end. What a relief.
Dora over-seeing the pickers on the merlot for sparkling brut rosé methode traditionelle.
A small but efficient team on the Sauvignon blanc for Sincérité 2021. We are down to the last few bottles of Sincerité 2020 – find them online here. ;). From left to right Louise Vary, our amazing intern for 2021, Roddy, Bev, Caro and Cathy.
We were spoilt with amazing sunrises each day as we started picking. What a joy!
Harvest Day for Vine Shareholders fell right between the whites and the reds. We picked 5 rows of merlot before giving in to the rain. It was the first time we have been rained out in 12 years of vine share harvest days. The rain didnt stop us having fun and celebrating harvest in style with Maeve and Mike’s amazing picnic and delicious Feely rose.
Then we raced on with the reds rushing from Merlot to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Then each day felt like a race against the clock as we experienced multiple storms that brought loads of rain. Fortunately the sun came back. The Merlot above for La Source 2021.
Louise doing a first punch down by foot on the Merlot.
Much needed yoga sessions pre and post harvesting.
And much needed breaks mid morning with delicious homemade biscuits and pancakes! Thanks Karen and Louise!
Pinch me. It’s so beautiful.
The very last bunches of Harvest 2021! Cabernet sauvignon for Vérité and quite delicious.
Hurrah! Deep gratitude to everyone that participanted in this years amazing harvest! Thank you for helping bring it all in and bringing your energy and buzz to this exciting new vintage. 🙂
Thank you to our wine clients who make it possible for us to choose to handpick by buying directly from us. It is more expensive but we know it makes a big difference to the quality of our grapes (especially in years like 2021) and to being able to make low and no sulfite wines. We also know it improves the health of our vines, particularly by avoiding compaction in the vineyard at this usually wet time of year.
Thank you to all our loyal supporters and clients. No matter where you are (almost) you can enjoy an amazing Feely wine experience with one of our virtual events and buy Feely organic, biodynamic and natural wines at the online wine shop –EU and France orders.
For UK and USA see shipping info here and then email us your order via the Contact Form.
Support our handmade organic biodynamic and natural wines by becoming a Feely Family Wine Club member.
Come and learn more about organic farming with a visit to Chateau Feely in South West France ; stay with us or do a multi day course with us through our sister site French Wine Adventures , multi day tour or walking tour.
You can read about the story of our organic farm the series includes three books Grape Expectations: A Family’s Vineyard Adventure in France (Caro Feely Book 1)
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