Farmworkers

Job description

January: Drill holes for end post and t-posts. Install aforementioned posts. Lay down pipe for irrigation and valves. Run six different wires for trellis infrastructure. Attach cross arms at every t-post . Run irrigation hose and attach to irrigation wire. Install metal rods to train vines and attach to wire. Dig holes for vines.

February/March: weather is normally very cold in the early mornings. During this month we focus on pruning all the vines. This involves utilizing pruning shears. All the shoots are discarded on vine rows then collected for burning.

March/April: After budbreak, we focus all energy on suckering all vines by hand. We also ensure all rows, and space between vines is weeded with a manual hoe or weed whacker. Net both vineyards to mitigate bird-damage. Plants vines and install protectors.

May/June: dropping flowers, continue suckering, leaf drop to expose grape bunches to morning sun and provide air flow. During this time, it really starts to warm up. Start training shoots.

July/August: train shoots to grow inside catch wires. Continue to cultivate and manage weeds. These are hot working days.

August/September/October: prep, block for picking: lift bird nets. Harvest by hand with shears into fruit picking bins (weight: 35lbs). This involves lifting the bin and walking to pallet on tractor. At the end of harvest we collect all the nets and clean vineyard: weeds, nets, check for irrigation issues.

On-going tasks: continually fix irrigation leaks, after pruning we normally set up a nursery to grow new vines from our very own cuttings.
We do all of the aforementioned tasks at all vineyards.

Special Requirements

NONE