Athos passengers are often interested in taking part in the annual grape harvest. With 2,800km² of vines to harvest and vast volumes of wine to make, September and October are the most intense work periods of the year for Languedoc grape growers. Additionally, because a large amount of harvesting is now done by machine, it’s easy to understand why most growers aren’t able to include even the most enthusiastic tourists in their vendange plan.

However, the recently restored 18th century wine cave at Chateau Bize now offers both a traditional wine tasting and the opportunity to participate in harvesting. Grape picking can last as long as three hours or can be as short as an hour, finishing up with a guided tasting by the sommelier.

Long-time friend and Athos collaborator, Juliet Bruce-Jones, is a Master of Wine who has grown and vinified her own grapes for several years.  Last year, she called on friends and Athos passengers to help with her Syrah harvest.  It was a fun-filled day that included a generous picnic lunch prepared by Juliet’s aspiring chef husband. Below, photos of young helpers drive trailer loads of grapes from the fields to the (broken-down!) destemming machine at the cave.