Harvesting Methods: Manual vs Mechanical

CONTENT

• What is manual harvesting?
• Manual harvesting process
• Advantages of manual harvesting
• What is mechanical harvesting?
• Mechanical harvesting process
• Advantages of mechanical harvesting

The grape harvest is a very important step in the creation of wine , so beyond being just a procedure, this wine celebration must be carried out under the highest standards of care and attention in order to preserve the integrity of each grape and achieve the excellence of a red or white wine from the moment it is harvested.

For this reason, the choice of the harvesting method is of utmost importance, since each of them has particular characteristics, specific implementations and distinctive benefits. These differences between the harvesting methods directly affect the final quality of the wine , influencing its flavour, aroma and structure.

In previous articles we have shared information about how the grape harvest is carried out in different regions of the world , so in this section we will be sharing everything you need to know about manual and mechanical harvesting , as well as the processes and advantages of each of them.

What is manual harvesting?

This type of grape harvest is a meticulous and laborious process that involves the careful and selective collection of ripe, high-quality bunches of grapes destined for wine production. Here, the direct intervention of trained workers is involved, who walk through the vineyards, visually evaluating each plant and bunch to determine the optimal ripeness of the grapes before they are harvested.

With this harvesting method, hand tools such as special scissors or knives are used to cut the grapes from the vine, allowing for meticulous selection and careful handling of the fruit , thus avoiding damage to the bunches.

Manual harvesting is also distinguished by its ability to adapt to changing vineyard conditions, as pickers can visually assess the condition of the grapes , taking into account the level of ripeness, sun exposure, as well as the health of the vine.

This harvesting method is recommended because it allows the preservation of the natural attributes of the fruit and, consequently, contributes to the uniqueness and excellence of the wines , especially red wine .

Manual harvesting process

1. Selection and preparation: As we mentioned before, the pickers inspect the vines , selecting the bunches with the ripe grapes and discarding those that do not meet quality standards.
2. Care during the harvest: The grapes are harvested meticulously to avoid damaging the fruit and are placed in special baskets or containers to transport them to the winery.
3. Transport and processing: Pickers transport the grapes quickly to the winery to prevent premature fermentation or spoilage of the fruit. There they are processed, pressed and fermented to produce, for example, Mexican red wines .

Advantages of manual harvesting

As already mentioned, manual harvesting may be less practical compared to mechanical harvesting , however, for the production of high-quality red, white or rosé wines , in which excellence is appreciated , this harvesting method is often preferred by winegrowers:

1. Higher quality: One of the advantages of manual harvesting is the careful selection of the fruit, which results in better quality wines with richer and more complex flavours.
2. Less stress on vines: By avoiding damage to plants and bunches, the stress on the plant is reduced and the health of the vines is maintained in the long term.
3. Adaptability: Pickers can adjust their process according to vineyard conditions and grape ripeness, thus optimizing harvest quality.

What is mechanical harvesting?

Unlike manual harvesting, which requires the direct intervention of workers to select and cut the bunches, mechanical harvesting is based on the application of technology through the use of equipment such as harvesters or grape harvesters, which optimize and speed up the harvesting process .

This mechanical approach is characterized by its ability to perform the harvesting task in an automated manner , significantly minimizing direct human intervention compared to laborious and detailed manual harvesting .

The machines used for this task are specifically designed to gently shake the vines and release the ripe bunches of grapes, depositing them in containers or receptacles integrated into the machinery itself.

Therefore, the essence of mechanical harvesting lies in its efficiency and ability to cover large areas of vineyards in considerably shorter periods of time compared to manual harvesting. This brings with it greater productivity, which is especially relevant in large-scale vineyards or in regions where labor is limited.

Mechanical harvesting process

1. Operation of specialized machinery: Harvesting machines are equipped with systems that gently shake the vines to loosen bunches of grapes; these bunches fall into hoppers or containers located inside the machines.
2. High performance: The machinery can cover large areas of vineyards, allowing for a faster harvest compared to the manual process.
3. Reduced labor requirements: Mechanical harvesting requires fewer workers compared to manual harvesting, so it can result in lower labor costs.

Advantages of mechanical harvesting

Although mechanical harvesting may be more cost-effective, the lack of selectivity and the possibility of impacts on grape quality are aspects to consider compared to manual harvesting , however, there are several advantages that have kept this method current:

1. Efficiency and speed: Automated machinery can harvest large areas in a relatively short period of time, which can be beneficial for large vineyards and areas with limited labor.
2. Cost reduction: Because it requires less labor, mechanical harvesting can be a more economical option in terms of labor costs , which can be an important consideration for winegrowers.
3. Consistency in harvesting: The special harvesting machine is designed to harvest evenly and consistently, which can help maintain consistency in the quality of the harvested grapes.

Finally, it is important to emphasize that selecting the appropriate harvesting method is crucial , as the decision will significantly impact the quality and excellence of the wine, whether red or sparkling; white or rosé, and even champagne, where the quality of the grapes is most appreciated.

From the type of grape and the soil where it is grown to the winemaking techniques used, every decision affects the flavour, aroma and distinctive character of the wine, so to ensure the creation of exceptional wines that reflect the unique identity of their origin and delight the most discerning consumers, it is necessary to select the harvesting method carefully.

If you are interested in learning more about the different harvesting methods , as well as everything about wine tasting , we invite you to stay tuned for new updates on our blog, you will surely find the information you are looking for. Thank you for reading!