Rotary gets Wine Harvest Started

October marked the beginning of the 2015 Grape Picking harvest at the award winning Dropmore Vineyard near Burnham Beeches.
 
25 Volunteers from Maidenhead Bridge Rotary, Maidenhead Rotaract and Burnham Beeches Rotary, kick-started the harvest by picking the Ortega Grape, a carefully selected grape that produces a crisp and smooth dry white wine which is perfect for fish, poultry and Pasta.
 
The day started in glorious sunshine with a full briefing from the owner, John Petersen, providing an overview of the vineyard as well as a lesson on how to pick the grapes from the vine. The volunteers were then escorted into the vineyard where a sunfilled morning of grape picking began.
 
The team worked hard on the 3 acre site and successfully harvested almost 1 tonne of quality Ortega grapes.  As a reward they were treated to a spectacular 2-course harvest lunch followed by a wine tasting, sampling of 3 of the vineyards award winning wines, Bacchus, Ortega and Pinto Blush Rose.
 
Sarah Smith, member of Maidenhead Bridge Rotary and event organiser, commented “It’s great to be able to support a local business with their harvest while at the same time learning a new skill and having some fun.”
 
“Quite a number of vineyards rely on volunteers to help with their harvest by picking grapes. No-one would deny that some serious work is involved, however, it's combined with a great team spirit and a huge sense of satisfaction” Sarah continued.
 
John and Feona Petersen, owners of the Dropmore Vineyard, commented,  “We are delighted with the enthusiasm and support the vineyard is receiving from our local community, from the students who work with us through the summer months to Maidenhead Bridge Rotary and friends who helped kick-off our harvest season so successfully.”
 
Maidenhead Bridge Rotary are committed to supporting the local community, and that includes the independent business community as they support Rotary in so many different ways, the club believes that’s its always good to give something back, supporting our local economy at the same time.
 
Matthew Burdett, Maidenhead Rotaract President, commented "It was really rewarding to work together as a team to harvest the grapes much faster than expected, and a real insight into such an interesting agricultural business on our very doorsteps!".
 
If you’d like to get involved in volunteering, fundraising for local community projects or are looking to network and have some fun, then do get in touch with Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club today.  To find out more visit www.maidenheadbridgerotary.org.uk or e-mail enquiries@maidenheadbridgerotary.org.uk.