Perfect picking weather

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While a lot of people don’t enjoy these frigid conditions, this cold weather means many grape growers and wineries were finally able to get out and pick grapes for icewine.

As the temperatures dipped early this morning Pillitteri Estates Winery was finally able to start its icewine harvest. The grapes are left on the vine until temperatures reach -8 and as soon as it’s cold enough… it’s go time!

They will bring in about 200 tonnes of grapes from this vineyard by Tuesday morning, harvesting all that they can before the temperatures rise again

Pillitteri has been making icewine since 1993 and never missed a year because of the weather. This year, some grapes like their riesling, had to be turned into table wine because the fall temperatures were too warm.

“The quantity is down we knew it was going to be a warm year. But the quality is very good and I hope it’s going to turn into great icewine.” and to make that great icewine they’ll will be working 24 hours a day for the next week.