What's the difference between hand and machine harvesting?

Hand harvesting protects the integrity of berry quality for fragile table grapes, but it is labor-intensive. Mechanical harvesting harvests wine and juice grapes fast and effectively, but at the cost of quality. The picking method is a crucial component in determining both quality and price.

For premium table grapes, hand harvesting remains crucial to the quality of table grapes. Workers can selectively cut the clusters of grapes, thereby avoiding bruising that can lead to decay. Hand harvesting provides an ideal bunch presentation and extended shelf life, but it requires five or more workers per acre.

Mechanical harvesters are ideal for wine grape production, when the grape berries are processed immediately after harvest. Machines vibrate the vines at rates between 400 and 600 RPM, shake and gather berries on conveyor systems with berries. The machine can process 1-2 acres of vineyard per hour with just one operator, but the harvest includes stems and leaves.

Consider hybrid approaches for balanced solutions. Some vineyards hand-pick premium blocks, while others machine-harvest value lines. Others use mechanical pre-harvesters with hand-finishing crews for selective picking.

Your grape destination determines the best method. Fresh market berries must be pristine and can only be achieved with hand harvesting. Wineries accepting mechanically harvested grapes must process them as soon as possible to avoid oxidation caused by damaged berries.

Read the full article: When to Harvest Grapes: The Essential Guide