The grape harvest takes place during October. Early in the day all members
of the family, except the young children, garb for the work. Male and female
wear long pants, always feminine, the ladies have a skirt over theirs. Long
sleeved shirts over other tops, heads covered with a scarf or brief cap.
The grapes hang from the canopy overhead, a harvester always in the shade
during the clipping of that short stalk at the grape bunch base. Those
bunches hang heavily just above heads. What looks like a large oil funnel
catches the clipped grapes to be dumped in the waiting mini trailer hauled
dopo the smallish tractor. The cantina (winery) is not far. Giuliano
drives the trailerful there, unloads and returns to the group for more.
What makes this 'work' special? The dancing, the singing opera as all
clipped and dumped, and ate the grapes. Yes, opera, Antonio who resembles
Anthony Quinn, sang "Figaro" as he sampled and picked those purple-red God
formed balls. Adina sings all the time, mostly opera which I don't know.
She dance/sings with a good friend who always is asked to join the group for
picking. The friend is not only a good worker but one who makes the day easy
for all.
Various old baskets hold lunch. A fabric tablecloth laid atop wooden boxes
surrounded by my cousins and friends. No folding chairs. Stools, boxes, the
ground are their thrones.
What to drink? Wine, of course, and bottled water. Conversation abounds
with much hand motion. Sandwiches of Italian bread rolls filled with salami,
prociutto, sliced cheeses, other goodies, but no meatballs! The day is long.
Still, all are amazingly happy as they walk to their transportation home.
How do I know all this when I visited in June? Giuliano videoed it during a
harvest not long ago. I have a copy. To participate for just a few days
would be memorable. This year Giuliano tells me the quantity and quality of
the grapes is the best in the last 10 years. They need all the help they
can get. Cousin Tom and his wife, Cagla, plan to make the event. Both work
in Europe abling them to be in the vineyards in a few hours.
One last note, the method of growing the grapes was invented by cousin
Tomazzo DiRisio (I am told), a man with quick wit, 78 years old, undergoing
dialysis every other day. He received the designation of Cavaliere for the
method. Using cement poles rising 6' above ground, spaced in perfect
squares, the grape plant is trained and trimmed to parallel the pole until
it reaches the top. Diagonal wires to corners guide the vines across the
top making the canopy. This allows the grapes to hang below. Now that I
have the opportunity to grow the tough skinned grapes of Florida I will try
this method. Don't expect any wine from this spot though.
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