France
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This is a small independently owned vineyard in the Cotes de Bourg appellation, 30 min NW of Bordeaux. In conjunction with the vineyard, we manage a Cafe in downtown Bordeaux
2019 was our first harvest, 100% hand picked and a very promising vintage. We prioritise quality over quantity, seek to foster environmentally sustainable practices, innovation, and positive cultural exchanges with volunteers from different parts of the world
Gardening
Building
Farmstay
Help with Eco project
Animal care
Art project
Working in the vineyard will provide a first-hand insight into the process of wine-making in Bordeaux. We aim to provide the setting for a convivial experience for people from diverse backgrounds to work, share meals, and make the most of their visit to the region, especially during the harvest
If you are interested in joining us in 2020 please review the schedule above, and include your availability, specific position/s of interest, and relevant experience/references in your message
This host offers accommodation and payment.
After a successful 2019 harvest campaign, we hope to host workawayers for various roles throughout 2020.
Most positions will be on a volunteer basis. Any situation requiring more that 25 weekly hours (most notably the harvest) excess hours will be remunerated.
A rough schedule for vineyard work is given below. Please note that vineyard work is physically demanding, requires a tolerance for repetitive tasks, and spending hours outside, crouching or bending down to the level of the vines.
--Winter pruning-- [Jan/Feb, 3 weeks] Cutting and removing old shoots, attaching canes
--Trellis Maintenance-- [March] Removing and replacing broken posts and wires
--De-suckering-- [May] Removing undesired new shoots from the base of the trunk
--Canopy Management-- [Jun/July] Lifting the growing shoots, removing excess vegetation and re-adjusting the trellis system to the growing vine
--White Harvest-- [early Sept] 2 to 4 days harvest work with team of 6
--Main Harvest-- [Sept 20 to October 10] Approx 10 days harvest with a team of 12. All our grapes are hand picked. The harvest requires some flexibility, as we wait till optimal maturity before picking. When the harvest is on, pickers will be expected to work long hours and will be appropriately compensated
--Winemaker’s assistant-- [Sept 20 to October 31] Volunteer opportunity to help coordinate the harvest reception in the winery, and later during the stages of alcoholic fermentation. Applicants with an interest in wine-making are encouraged to apply for this role.
------------------Other Roles-----------------------------
Examples of Eco and Art projects we plan to undertake in 2020 are listed below. If you have a specific interest in one of these please outline relevant experience in your reply. We also welcome your ideas for other projects along these lines
--Vegetable Garden Setup-- [March] Plan and prepare grounds for vegetable garden to supply the cafe, install trellising and fences as necessary. Expansion of the existing composting facilities to process organic waste from the cafe and winery
--Chicken coop construction/installation-- Self-explanatory
--Beehive Installation-- Assess the premises for beehive installation, strategy for honey extraction and modifications to vineyard practices to nurture the bee population. Lay out protocol for eventual “Bee Friendly” certification
--Installation of bird/bat houses-- With the aim to improve biodiversity and bio-control of harmful insects, as alternative synthetic pesticides
--Art Projects-- Many possibilities, including painting murals in the winery (see the big white concrete walls pictured). All volunteers are encouraged to be creative, leave their mark with a painting, illustration or even the design of a future wine label
English, Spanish & French
The main house at the property is under renovation, and at the moment on-site accommodation consists of a mobile home which has two private twin/double rooms, shower, toilet, kitchen and a convertible sofa bed
Due to limited accommodations we normally accept no more than 2 or 3 volunteers at any given time, when help is required
During the warmer months (May-October) additional space for camping and caravan parking is available, and for the harvest additional accommodation will be provided for all the team
Bicycles are available to explore the neighbouring vineyards and visit the town of Bourg on the banks of the Garonne river. Transfers to and from Bordeaux, and overnight stays in Bordeaux can also be arranged, subject to availability
Please review our 2020 schedule before contacting us, and be sure to include your availability, specific position/s that are of interest, and relevant experience/references
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
More than two
Up to 25 in the low season. 10h + per day (paid) during harvest
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