Grape harvest started at 9:00 am in Week 8 of Term 1, with the whole school participating. 2 tonnes of grapes were quickly picked by recess. These 2 tonnes will be sent to Stonebridge Winery, who professionally makes our wines for sale. Shiraz wine can be bought from the front office for $10 a bottle.
Students were divided into homegroups and given snippers, to start their pickings. Our new year 7's showed great enthusiasm and enjoyed themselves with some good music playing in the background. It was good to see all the school learning and practising some good collaborative skills through the light physical work.
700kg were picked for the school's winery, which our year 11 students quickly crushed and added yeast to start the fermentation process, which lasts a week. Tests were conducted, and the school wine has made a good start; we hope it is as good as the professionally made wine! Students have pressed the grapes in our wine press and have learned excellent theoretical and practical skills in conducting further tests.
The wine is now maturing with some French oak to enhance its natural flavours.
Stephen Bosch - Deputy Principal