GRAPE HARVEST Day 1 - Southern Styria | Sauvignon

[Kodiak]

I was thinking I had a few days to relax a bit…

"…please come today because the weather is fine and the grapes will not
stand a day more of rain… we have no choice but to harvest today!"

Here is a reportage on harvesting Sauvignon blanc and Pinot gris.
It is at the same wine producer I worked for this summer:

1. View of the slovenian wine gardens from the austrian border.




2. At the entrance on the austrian side of the border.




3. This is the Sauvignon blanc and Pinot gris garden.




4. A larger view of the hillsides.




5. May I introduce you: "Sauvignon Blanc" in all its splendour!




6. …and "Pinot Gris" (one of my favourites!)




7. The access to the slovenian gardens is through austrian territory.
Sometimes, the border is in the middle of the road. The austrian side has a red-white-red pole.




8. The Harvesters Start at to top. They pick up the grapes in the red containers
and empty they in a larger one waiting at the bottom of the slope.




9. Can you smell this? This is a feature lacking to my photography:
proper olfactive experience!




10. The larger container are loaded on a trailer that will take them to the winery cellar.




11. It's hard work… one might as well do it with a smile!




12. This is Wolfgang, the wine garden manager.
The smile is justified by the great weather and the good work of the harvesters.




13. This slovenian harvester is the assistant and the most experienced harvester.




14. Maybe, tomorrow I hope I will have a chance to take his great blue eyes if only he was not so shy and his wife so jalous!!!

Today, September 9, 06:00, I getting ready for a longer day in Obegg, for
and other harvest day and to photograph the following work at the winery.

C&C welcome.
Most shots are SOOC, 3 needed some minor tonal range adjustments.

[deetheturk]

Great series Kodiak, love the self portrait #2

David

[IzzieK]

That self portrait is the shadow of #10 in the far distance, I think...same guy.

Love the journey, Kodiak...complete with commentary. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots.

[Marie Hass]

Very nicely done. The images are not just a documentary - they are works of art. I hope, when all is said and done, you would consider making - and having printed - a book about the grape harvest, and subsequent wine making process.

'Rie

[Kodiak]

Thanks David, the only thing reassuring about the self portrait is that it's hand made!

That self portrait is the shadow of #10 in the far distance, I think...same guy.
Love the journey, Kodiak...complete with commentary. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots.

You're right Isabelle, it is the same guy.
The title says "day 1", today will be day 2… let's see. Thanks for the comment.

Very nicely done. The images are not just a documentary - they are works of art. I hope, when all is said and done, you would consider making - and having printed - a book about the grape harvest, and subsequent wine making process. 'Rie

I should finish selling the actual book I made of this region…
and you might have just the right idea for the next book! Thanks Marie.

[John 2]

Loved the series Kodiak. Grew up in Austria (Klagenfurt) until I was about 12 yrs old and so much of what you show appears familiar. It's a great part of the world.

[george013]

Wonderful documentary. I would like to see the whole process till the opening of a bottle.

George

[Kodiak]

Loved the series Kodiak. Grew up in Austria (Klagenfurt) until I was about 12 yrs old and so much of what you show appears familiar.

Thanks John,

It's a great part of the world.

Yes, it is. Mind you, after all the travelling I did, I come to the conclusion
that the world is beautiful everywhere.

I read a german citation the other day, translated, it will sound like this:
—"The world is like a book, but whom did not travel will have only have
turned the first pages!!—

[Kodiak]

Wonderful documentary. I would like to see the whole process till the opening of a bottle. George

Coming up George… that's exactly the commission the wine grower gave me.

[KimC]

What a beautiful series. My absolute favorite is #13. Looking forward to seeing more.

[TonyW]

These are a lesson to us all, with sharpness and composition. You must have a link to heaven to get the light like this. I don't know how you get the detail of the face right in 13, when it is in the shade, without blowing the sunny bits. Number 4 is a lovely view and the grapes in 5 and 9 in particular look really succulent. I can't smell them but my mouth is watering just looking at them. They have a beautiful translucent look.

[Kodiak]

What a beautiful series. My absolute favorite is #13. Looking forward to seeing more.

Hi KimC,
just got back to the studio… I make myself a coffee and I get to work.
I promise you more today!

[Kodiak]

These are a lesson to us all, with sharpness and composition. You must have a link to heaven to get the light like this.

A link to heaven? So many told me I must have sold my soul to the devil
for exactly the same reason! ;-)

I don't know how you get the detail of the face right in 13, when it is in the shade, without blowing the sunny bits. Number 4 is a lovely view and the grapes in 5 and 9 in particular look really succulent.

Ok, you're too kind, i'll give you a secret tip… come closer… more…
the succulent aspect is conveyed through a blend of low keys and specular
lights. Keep that to yourself… ;-)

I can't smell them but my mouth is watering just looking at them. They have a beautiful translucent look.

I knew it! I should have worked earlier and harder on the olfactive rendition
of my shots! ;-)

Thanks for the comments Tony.

[Mike Buckley]

All of them are terrific but I especially like the stories being told in the last two photos. Looking forward to more!

[Brownbear]

And I especially adore #13 & #14. All lovely but these are extra special.

[ied]

Beyond beautiful! I think # 13 is a stunning shot as it is so clear ( as all of them) and
the facial expression and lighting so very perfect.
Irene

[Kodiak]

All of them are terrific but I especially like the stories being told in the last two photos. Looking forward to more!

Thanks Mike, Day 2 is online already!
.

[Kodiak]

And I especially adore #13 & #14. All lovely but these are extra special.

Much appreciated Christina.

[Kodiak]

And I especially adore #13 & #14. All lovely but these are extra special.

…maybe because he looks like the grandpa everyone would like to have?
Thanks for the comment.

[Kodiak]

Beyond beautiful! I think # 13 is a stunning shot as it is so clear ( as all of them) and
the facial expression and lighting so very perfect. Irene

Irène, thank you!