An early morning start ensures less fragile fruit and optimum sugar content

Eerie mist, bright lights, and people in white overalls. Are we being invaded?

Turns out on this occasion the Sculpterra harvest crew is bringing in Cabernet Sauvignon from the Bentley Ironworks block. These are the oldest vines on the property, head-trained and low-yielding. The fruit from these vines makes for rich, complex wine.

Most of the picking at Sculpterra is done by hand, but for the Bentley Ironworks block, a machine is brought in. When set up properly, these machines are incredibly efficient, cleanly pulling grapes from the vines, while causing very little damage to fruit or vine.

Head-trained, cane-pruned old vines. Great skill is needed for this type of pruning.

Beautiful ripe fruit, and autumn colours

Much of this fruit will find it’s way into Sculpterra’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, the Bentley Ironworks. Click here for my review of the current vintage of this wine, the 2014.

It’s available in the tasting room and online at Sculpterra.com for $60 a bottle.