Crazy Superstitions and Rituals of Winemakers - Part I
November 4, 2014
Michael Cervin
It seems most everyone has some kind of superstition: a lucky hat, the old stand-by the rabbit’s foot, a certain ritual before a specific event. We humans are curious creatures of habit and redundancy. Winemakers too have superstitions they employ during harvest to planting to verasion. So who in the U.S. is doing what, and when, and more importantly why? We do not judge, for these intrepid winemakers are doing great work so we can have great juice.
“Our superstition is no shaving once the first fruit is picked until the last cluster runs through the sorting line.You are allowed to shave your neck, because that’s just gross. The first shave is typically something weird or different. This works out good since it is usually around Halloween and you can get away with looking like an idiot. Failure to follow these rules results in poor fermentations and everyone still believing you have the best job in the world.” ~Rob Folin, Folin Cellars, Rogue Valley, Oregon
“As a tradition started in Australia I shave once a year the first day of harvest. People can testify without my scruff, I look like an angrier (or just French) version of Justin Bieber. I won’t touch my beard until we are done with fruit and at least close to being done with pressing. Since I have started this rite I can only say good harvests have followed. I am sure facial hair helps to carry yeasts around which is crucial when you do native ferments like us.” ~Simon Faury, Merryvale Vineyards, St. Helena
“Once harvest starts you don't shave again until your last grapes are in (especially when harvest is off to a great start). It's like when a football player doesn't wash their game jersey while on a winning streak. Lots of Washington winemakers do it. I am on week 3 of harvest bearded-ness. It’s getting itchy but my wife hasn't complained too much…yet.” ~Charlie Lybecker, Cairdeas Winery, Lake Chelan, Washington
“For my first 7 harvests I didn't shave my beard or cut my hair between the first grapes that came in to the last. Then I went through 4 - 5 harvests where I kept my beard clean and shaved regularly, but never cut my hair. This past harvest I went back to keeping my beard growing. Maybe not so much a superstition but more my 1-year-old daughter loves to pull on it.” ~Coby Parker-Garcia, Claiborne & Churchill Winery, Edna Valley, California
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