Ever wondered what it’s like running a 30-acre vineyard in the West Midlands? Well, it’s certainly not a walk in the park, especially when the weather goes against you. But it is incredibly rewarding when the fruit (quite literally) of your labour becomes a range of award-winning English wines that are stocked in both M&S and Waitrose.
This year, luckily, the weather has been very much on our side, and we’re expecting a bumper harvest as a result!
Every harvest – which begins around September time – we begin the process of picking every single grape grown here, all by hand. We certainly don’t do it by ourselves though, as we’re fortunate enough to have a wonderful group of volunteers who come back each year to help us out.
Pickers collecting grapes during harvest 2017.
Speaking to the Express & Star last harvest, our founder Martin Vickers gave a little background:
“All of our grapes are picked by volunteers. We’ve got a good following of local people, mostly retired, who over the years just love coming along and helping out. It’s a gathering of old friends every year. We go for five weeks and they all have a lunch at the end and a good get-together. All picked by hand, we’ve got 15 different varieties to pick.”
In fact, one of our pickers even celebrated her 97th birthday with us last year!
Fancy getting involved? Our harvest is open to all volunteers, even if it’s just for an afternoon! Picking takes place every weekday for approximately 4-6 weeks beginning, usually, in September (date TBC). The morning session takes place between 9am – 12pm, followed by a break for lunch, then the afternoon session takes place between 1pm – 4pm. All you need is a pair of gloves, a packed lunch (we provide the drinks), and a waterproof coat – you can never be too careful with the British weather!
Our team may be volunteers, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t look after them – each picker takes home a bottle of still wine of their choosing, per half-day that they work!
If you’re interested in getting involved, please email your name and a telephone number to sales@halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk, and we’ll be in touch closer to the time (don’t worry, there’s no commitment to get involved yet).
Could do a morning on a Monday
Hi Lorraine, we can indeed! When harvest begins, sessions will take place Mon – Fri, in the morning from 9am – 12pm, and in the afternoon 1pm – 4pm. Just send us a quick email with your details please if you’d like to be on the list!
Would like to join the team for picking
Hi Elizabeth, please email your name and a telephone number to sales@halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk, and we’ll be in touch closer to the time!
Depending when you start I could help with the harvesting of the grapes.
Hi Louie, please email your name and a telephone number to sales@halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk, and we’ll be in touch closer to the time!
We would be interested in helping to pick your grapes. There are 2 of us and we can do a couple of mornings/afternoons per week as we are both retired. Please let us know nearer the time if you would like our help. Thanks.
Hi Sue, please email your name and a telephone number to sales@halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk, and we’ll be in touch closer to the time
Would like to join the pickers on Wednesday 19th September
Hi John & Mary, please email your name and a telephone number to sales@halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk, and we’ll be in touch closer to the time!
Hi, some friends and myself would be interested in helping pick the grape harvest during Sept.
Could you let us know when it starts and when we can come.
Thanks
Sandra Wallbank
Hi Sandra, please email your name and a telephone number to sales@halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk, and we’ll be in touch closer to the time!
I’ve missed harvest this year but can I put myself forward for next year please
Hi Carol, we’re still harvesting, so you’re very welcome to come along and help this year if you’d like!
Sorry. Didn’t finish message requesting end date of harvesting.
Thanks.
Hi Lyn, harvest is just about coming to the end now. We’re due to finish early next week – Monday or Tuesday.
I think I’m down on your mailing list for volunteering in September and I was just wondering if their are any volunteering opportunitie before then ?
Regards Darren Moult