When you say September, for a winemaker it means just one thing – harvest time. Everything we have done throughout the year in the vineyard – from pruning in spring, through caring for the leaves and clusters in summer, to closely watching the weather – leads to this very moment. And right now, when the grapes are full of flavor, aroma, and sunshine, the time of truth arrives.
Harvest – a tradition that brings people together
Harvest is not just about work. It is an event full of tradition, togetherness, and joy. At Csernus Winery, families, friends, and colleagues come together to pick grapes and take part in creating something that will later bring happiness with every glass of wine.
The air in the vineyard during this season is unique – the sweet fragrance of ripe berries blends with the morning dew and slowly transforms into the fresh aroma of must, which begins to emerge right after the first pressing.
Why hand-picking?
Even though modern machines can speed up harvesting, for most varieties we still rely on hand-picking. Each cluster passes through the hands of the picker, who selects only the healthiest and finest berries. This approach allows us to preserve the quality you can taste in the wine – from the pure aroma to the delicate harmony of flavors.
Hand-picking is demanding – days start early in the morning, often in mist or cold, and end when the sun sets. Yet this hard work later rewards us when the wine develops its sparkle and character.
What happens after the harvest?
Harvest is only the beginning. Once the grapes arrive at the cellar, they are sorted, pressed, and the fermentation process begins. Each grape variety requires different care – some wines ferment slowly to develop their fresh fruity tones, while others need more time to reveal their full complexity.
We monitor every step with the utmost care. Wine is a living organism that responds to our decisions – and this is where the true art of winemaking shows itself.
September in a glass
Although the journey from cluster to bottle takes several more months, the new vintage of our wines is already being born in the vineyard today. Every grape we pick becomes part of a story that will continue in your glass.
