Volunteers can help with the harvest at Charron Vineyards
It's harvest time at Pima County's oldest working vineyard.
And while the tasting room will be open, true oenophiles will want to experience the camaraderie and excitement out among the vines.
Charron Vineyards in Vail lets devotees actually get their hands dirty.
This is the second year that Milton and Susan Craig have issued an open invitation to anyone who wants to help them harvest the grapes they will use to make white merlot and a red blend called Rincon Red.
Last year about 40 volunteers helped harvest 6 tons, and the Craigs are optimistic there will be 8 tons this year.
The bigger crop is one of the reasons they expanded the public invite to two days - Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to around noon - instead of one very long Saturday.
"There's a lot of good camaraderie. Everybody's having a good time and talking," Milton Craig said, noting that people can come and pick for as little as an hour or so.
"You get as dirty as you want, and you do it as long as you want," he said.
The Craigs bought the vineyard in 2009 from Leo Cox, who planted the first vines in 1995. They will give some instruction before turning volunteers loose in the grapes.
"We will harvest over two days this year so the volume of grapes does not overwhelm either the pickers or the pressers. This will allow us to break around noon and enjoy some lunch and refreshments and avoid picking during the heat of the day," he said.
About that lunch … this isn't quite Napa, so don't expect the French Laundry. The Craigs plan to serve hot dogs and chips.
Volunteers also will experience the start of the production of this year's releases of three different varieties of merlot.
"We'll be pressing in the afternoon," said Craig, who noted that anyone around at that time will be able to taste the fresh grape juice.
Charron Vineyards sells its wine throughout the state. The white sells for about $20 and the red blend for about $15.
If you go
• What: Charron Harvest 2011.
• When: About 6 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday.
• Where: Charron Vineyards, 18585 S. Sonoita Highway, southeast of Tucson off Arizona 83.
• More info, including directions: www.charronvineyards.com or call 762-8585.
• Tasting room: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The $5 cost includes a souvenir glass.
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travel and leisure » Okanagan Valley Wine Festivals
From the casual wine sipper to the expert connoisseur, the Okanagan Wine Festivals attract a variety of individuals who all share an enthusiasm for exquisite wine. Renowned for its spectacular vineyards, gorgeous natural scenery and the manufacture of award-winning wine; the Okanagan Valley is the perfect location for celebrating the harvest of grapes and production of fine wine.
Find out more details about the Okanagan Wine Festivals here and discover which season will be right for you to visit.
Summer Wine Festival
Held the second week of August at Silver Star Mountain Resort, the Okanagan Summer Wine Festival gives you the chance to learn a little more about the culture of wine and wine making. Informative seminars are available as well as a variety of local art displays, musical entertainment and fun outdoor activities.
Take in the warm summer sun and indulge in delicious meals, wine seminars, wine tasting events and a wide array of mountain activities. The next Summer Wine Festivals are August 7-8, 2009 and Aug 5-7, 2010.
Fall Wine Festival
You’ll be looking forward to summer’s end with the prospect of seeing Okanagan wine country at its finest. See the grapes ripen and treat your self to all the harvest festivities at the Annual Okanagan Fall Wine Festival in Kelowna. If you love extraordinary wine, scrumptious food and entertainment, this is your perfect autumn destination. The Fall Wine Festival is also the only wine festival in North America that occurs in the heart of grape harvest.
Take advantage of detailed vineyard tours, delectable food, stunning scenery and of course the fall harvest this October! Next Fall Wine Festivals are Oct 1-11, 2009 and Sept 30-Oct 10, 2010.
Icewine Festival
Sample some of the world’s finest icewine at the Okanagan Icewine Festival in January at Sun Peaks Resort. This event is the most unique of all Okanagan wine festivals. The blend of fine wines with an award-winning resort offers the perfect setting for a winter getaway. Educate yourself with wine seminars, treat your palate to a winemaster’s dinner or try different vineyards at a wine tasting gathering.
As the region experiences freezing temperatures on a yearly basis, British Columbia, Canada is renowned for producing some of the world’s most spectacular icewine. The next Icewine Festivals will be Jan 13-19, 2009 and Jan 12-17, 2010.
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