Adventures in Grape Picking: A Journey to the Heart of Alsace

In September 2022, I stepped off a train in Strasbourg and headed toward the quiet, sun-drenched village of Blienschwiller in Alsace. Just a month earlier, during a visit to the Meyer family, I had jokingly asked if I could join their next “Vendange”—the traditional French grape picking season. To my surprise, they agreed. Suddenly, the joke was a reality, and I couldn’t back out.

I traveled from the Loire Valley in the west to the furthest point east, right on the edge of the Black Forest. The Meyer family welcomed me with open arms, settling me into a guest room in their beautiful family home. My first impression of Blienschwiller was how picturesque it was—chalet-style buildings adorned with flower baskets, reflecting its historical roots. I was ready for the task, but I had no idea how much my perspective on artisanal wine was about to change.

Joining the Team: The True Spirit of the Vendange

The grape harvest season is a cornerstone of the wine industry. While larger estates might rely on machinery, smaller, family-run vineyards rely on a dedicated human touch. I quickly realized that my fourteen teammates weren’t just random laborers; they were friends and family who returned every single year.

 

 

They came back for the heritage, yes, but mostly for the camaraderie. In an era of industrial production, seeing this level of community was a revelation. It reinforced why I started Neeche Wines—to support these exact kinds of small family vineyards where the human connection to the land is still intact.

Hard Work, High Spirits: Reality of the Harvest

I won’t sugarcoat it: grape picking is grueling, back-straining work. The mornings in Alsace were hot that year, and the physical toll is real. However, the atmosphere kept us moving. Songs were sung, jokes were traded across the rows, and the tempo never dropped.

 

 

The true reward came at lunch. We would be driven back to the base on the tractor for a communal feast cooked by Pierre-Yves’ father. These weren’t quick sandwiches; they were full three-to-four-course affairs. Food and wine have a way of mending tired muscles like nothing else.

 

 

By the end of the afternoon, the sound of sparkling wine bottles popping signaled the end of the day’s labor. The bonhomie was incredible.

Bringing the Adventure Home

Feeling welcomed into this community was a profound honor. It’s one thing to sell a bottle of wine; it’s another to have stood in the dirt and helped harvest the grapes that went into it. When you explore the Vins Meyer collection, you aren’t just buying a bottle from Alsace; you are tasting the result of that very laughter, hard work, and tradition.

Until the next time, Blienschwiller.